Officer accused of sharing airport brawl footage

The violent disorder took place at Manchester Airport in July 2024

A police officer is facing a criminal investigation for allegedly sharing CCTV footage of violence that broke out between officers and two men at Manchester Airport.

Footage was shared widely on social media of the disturbance in July last year, with Mohammed Fahir Amaaz last week being found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of attacking two female police officers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed a Greater Manchester Police officer was being investigated on suspicion of sharing a video relating to an active police investigation without any legitimate policing purpose.

The watchdog said an investigation was continuing and it would seek the officer's own account of events "in due course".

A spokeswoman said an independent investigation began following a referral from the force in September 2024 after concerns were raised about the source of a video provided to the media.

Mohammed Amaaz went on trial for his part in the violent scenes last year

She said the officer had been informed they were being investigated on suspicion of corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges and the unlawful obtaining of personal data.

They will also be questioned regarding two offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.

Following a three-week trial, Amaaz was convicted of assaulting PC Lydia Ward, causing actual bodily harm, and the assault of emergency worker PC Ellie Cook.

After 10 hours of deliberating, the jury was unable to reach verdicts on allegations that Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, assaulted PC Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm.

A retrial on those counts has been set for April 2026.