Police Whistleblower Faces Criminal Probe After Exposing Truth Behind Viral Airport Attack
GMP Officer Investigated for Leaking CCTV Footage
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer is under criminal investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for leaking CCTV footage that revealed the full story behind a shocking incident at Manchester Airport last year.
The footage, handed to the Manchester Evening News, showed convicted assailant Mohammed Fahir Amaaz violently attacking two female officers and a member of the public—contradicting an earlier viral clip that had sparked nationwide outrage and protests.
Whistleblower or Rule Breaker?
Despite the footage calming tensions by providing vital context, the whistleblower now faces criminal charges. The IOPC says the officer may have disclosed evidence without a legitimate policing purpose.
This controversial probe has reignited fierce debate on press freedom, police transparency, and accountability.
“The protection of sources of information is a key journalistic principle. The footage was released responsibly to provide balanced reporting and help calm an escalating situation,” said Manchester Evening News editor Sarah Lester.
Critics accuse the IOPC of punishing the officer for exposing truth rather than tackling the consequences of viral misinformation.
What Really Happened at Manchester Airport?
- The original viral clip showed a GMP officer striking a man on the ground with zero context.
- The clip sparked protests, calls to shut down the airport, and public outrage.
- The released CCTV showed Amaaz assaulting a man in a café before violently attacking two female officers—breaking one officer’s nose so badly she needed surgery.
- Amaaz was later convicted of all three assaults.
IOPC Confirms Criminal Investigation
“A Greater Manchester Police officer was informed they are under criminal investigation for sharing footage related to an active investigation at Manchester Airport in July 2024 without legitimate policing purpose,” said an IOPC spokesperson.
The officer faces possible charges over data protection breaches and inappropriate disclosure of investigation material.
‘Stopping Leaks, Not Solving Problems’
Police advocates and civil liberty campaigners slam the probe. A former GMP officer said anonymously: “The officer helped prevent public disorder by exposing the truth. Yet the system focuses on plugging leaks instead of fixing broken processes.”
The IOPC is accused of aggressively targeting whistleblowers, while ignoring the damage caused by the misleading viral video that nearly triggered riots.
The Aftermath and Media Solidarity
Amaaz was convicted in July 2025 for three assaults, including grievous bodily harm to a police officer. The officer under investigation was among the responders to that violent episode.
As the IOPC probe continues, press freedom groups are rallying behind the whistleblower, warning that criminalising such revelations threatens democratic transparency.
The Manchester Evening News has vowed to protect its source at all costs.
