British Transport police referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, after Ik Aihie and his partner had made a complaint

The police watchdog is investigating the arrest of a man who was forcefully restrained by officers and had a spit hood put over his head after an argument with his partner.

Video footage showed Ik Aihie screaming in pain as British Transport police (BTP) officers held him down on the floor of London Bridge station during the incident last month. He was approached by officers after his partner, Jessica McConkey, asked him to give her back her phone, the couple said.

Police said he was arrested after he “became aggressive” and, during the arrest, that Aihie also threatened to spit at officers.

The couple made a complaint to BTP that excessive force had been used and also said the officers had ignored Aihie when he repeatedly asked what he was being arrested for; only telling him when he arrived at the police station. He accepted a caution for a public order offence, BTP said.

On Friday the Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed it had received a referral from the force and had opened an independent investigation; the procedure normally reserved for more serious incidents.

Aihie, who has met with IPCC investigators, said: “I hope there will now be a thorough investigation and I would ask any witnesses to my arrest to please contact the IPCC.”

His solicitor, Shamik Dutta, of Bhatt Murphy, said: “It is imperative that all relevant evidence in this case is preserved without delay to ensure a robust inquiry into the officers’ conduct.”

Aihie has previously said he felt he had been treated “like a dog” by the police. McConkey said she believed they officers assumed Aihie, who is black, had stolen her phone, leading each of them to accuse the officers of racism over the incident.

McConkey has added, though, that she supports the police generally and Aihie said he doesn’t like to “play the race card”.