Tomlinson policeman dismissed from police

By Ian Dunt

The police officer who struck Ian Tomlinson before he died has been dismissed with immediate effect from the Met police.

PC Simon Harwood was found to have committed gross misconduct when he beat the newspaper vendor around the legs and then pushed him to the ground during a G20 protest in 2009.

The force used was "unreasonable, disproportionate and unnecessary", a disciplinary panel found.

"We have no doubt that PC Harwood is not fit to hold the post of constable and he is dismissed with immediate effect," the panel chairman said.

The chairman argued the PC's actions had discredited the police service and undermined public confidence.