Police payout and apology to family of Ian Tomlinson, from the Isle of Dogs

The Met has apologised to Julia Tomlinson, the widow of Ian Tomlinson. File picture: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Mr Tomlinson, from the Isle of Dogs, died after being struck by police officer PC Simon Harwood, who was later found guilty of gross misconduct in relation to the incident.

He hit Mr Tomlinson, 47, with a baton as he was walking away from police lines, shoving him to the ground on the fringes of the protests in the City of London in April 2009.

The newspaper vendor collapsed and later died from internal injuries.

And the Metropolitan Police today confirmed it had agreed a settlement “that acknowledges the suffering Julia Tomlinson and the family have endured with dignity over the last four years.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner de Brunner, apologised to the family, saying: “I take full responsibility for the actions of Simon Harwood on April 1 2009. His actions fell far below the standard we expect from our officers.

“I accept the finding of the inquest that Mr Tomlinson was unlawfully killed.

“As the jury found, at the time of the strike and push Mr Tomlinson was walking away from the police line. He was complying with police instructions to leave Royal Exchange Buildings. He posed no threat.

“Today, I apologise unreservedly for Simon Harwood’s use of excessive and unlawful force, which caused Mr Tomlinson’s death, and for the suffering and distress caused to his family as a result.

“The Commissioner also apologies to the family for ill-considered comments made in the media in the immediate aftermath of Mr Tomlinson’s death which served to distract attention away from the investigation into the death.”