Latest news with #ManchesterAirport
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why flights across the UK were grounded this afternoon
Travel chaos erupted across the UK today, with flights grounded from London to Edinburgh. A fault at an air traffic management suite led to flights being grounded while others were delayed or diverted, leaving passengers in limbo. Manchester Airport was one of many impacted by the disruption, with others including Birmingham, Liverpool, Stansted, Newcastle, Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, and Edinburgh. READ MORE: UK households with air fryers urged to 'stop using immediately and unplug' as more products recalled - full list READ MORE: LIVE: Manchester Airport urges customers to contact their airline amid major air traffic control fault - latest updates The technical issue occurred at NATS air traffic control centre in Swanwick, and although it has now been repaired passengers have been warned to expect continuing disruption as the system catches up. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up her Around 80 flights have been cancelled across the UK today, the BBC has reported, including 45 departures and 35 scheduled arrivals. Here is the Manchester Evening News explainer for the chaos which has affected UK travel today. Who are NATS? NATS stands for the National Air Traffic Service, and is the UK's leading provider of air traffic control. Each year the company handles over 2.5 million flights and some 250 million passengers as they travel over the UK and across the North Atlantic Ocean. In addition to air traffic control NATS also offers consultancy and delivery in air traffic management. This afternoon NATS reported that there was a "technical issue" at their centre in Swanwick and that air traffic over London would be limited as a result. Shortly after 4.30pm, Gatwick Airport confirmed that flights from the airport had been grounded, saying in a statement: 'There are currently no departures from London Gatwick while the situation is being resolved. 'We are working with Nats to resume flights as quickly as possible. Inbound flights are still landing at the airport." By just before 6pm it was confirmed that engineers from NATS had been able to repair the issue and flights could resume. However, NATS and multiple other agencies including airports and airlines warned that passengers should still expect some delays as the backlog was cleared. In a statement confirmed the system had been repaired, NATS said: "Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon. "We are in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area. "We continue to work closely with airline and airport customers to minimise disruption. "We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused." The reaction The disruption has been widely condemned, including by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who called on the government to launch an investigation. Sir Ed Davey said: "It is utterly unacceptable that after a major disruption just two years ago, air traffic control has once again been hit by a technical fault. "With thousands of families preparing to go on a well-earned break, this just isn't good enough. "The Government should launch an urgent investigation to ensure the system is fit for purpose, including ruling out hostile action as a cause. "The public deserve to have full confidence in such a vital piece of national infrastructure." Budget airline Ryanair has also publicly called for the CEO of NATS to resign. Ryanair's chief operating officer Neal McMahon said: 'It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the Aug 2023 NATS system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe's incompetence. 'If Nats CEO Martin Rolfe fails to resign on the back of this latest Nats system outage that has disrupted thousands of passengers yet again, then UK transport minister Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of Nats' shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent Nats failures.' Meanwhile, the Department of Transport has confirmed that it is "working closely" with NATS, but clarified that it does not have any power over staffing decisions at the company. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'While passengers should continue to check with individual airports for advice, Nats have confirmed their systems are now fully operational and flights are returning to normal. 'We are working closely with Nats to understand the cause of the technical issue and the implications for the resilience systems in place.' Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HER
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Whose side are you on? As Manchester Airport thug who attacked female cops is found GUILTY, top Tories accuse 'shameful' Labour ministers of failing to fully support police when fight footage first emerged
Senior Tories have demanded apologies from Labour ministers over a lack of support for police officers brutally attacked at Manchester Airport. Chris Philp attacked the home secretary for questioning police standards after a female officer had her nose broken in the melee last July. And Robert Jenrick blasted leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell for raising concerns about police conduct in Parliament over the shocking brawl. One of two brothers who brawled with officers before claiming to the court he was the victim of police brutality has now been convicted of assaulting two female cops and a male passenger. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was found guilty of attacking PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook in the car park pay station of Terminal 2 on July 23 last year. He was also found guilty of headbutting holidaymaker Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Shortly after the fight, footage emerged which the court head was allegedly of PC Zachary Marsden kicking Amaaz in the head – it prompted anti-police protests with a number of prominent Labour politicians voicing concern about police conduct. But there was a fierce backlash when leaked CCTV also subsequently shown to the court appeared to show a violent unprovoked assault to which PC Marsden and two female colleagues had been subjected just seconds earlier. Before all the leaked footage which was subsequently seen in court provided a fuller picture of what transpired, Labour MP for Rochdale Paul Waugh criticised the police, saying: 'Our police face a very difficult job every day in keeping us all safe, but they themselves know that they have to expect the highest standards of conduct in their duties.' Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell, herself the Labour MP for Manchester Central, said she would pass his comments on to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and added: 'Clearly the footage is incredibly disturbing and there's understandably a lot of concern, particularly in his constituency because it was his constituent affected.' And Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she understood 'the widespread distress' the footage had caused, and said she had spoken to police about the 'urgent steps' they were taking. She had added that it was 'essential' police had the trust of communities, and the public 'rightly expect high standards from those in charge of keeping us safe'. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Ms Cooper's comments at the time showed she had been more interested in criticising the police than standing up for brave officers injured in the line of duty. 'A female officer had her nose broken by this vile thug, and the Home Secretary had nothing to say about that when it happened,' he said. 'Instead, her statement referred to the importance of the 'trust of communities' and questioned police standards. 'It is shameful that Yvette Cooper's statement did not include any mention of the police officers who were attacked at Manchester airport last year even though it has been reported that she was aware they had been injured when she made it.' Constable Lydia Ward, who jurors heard is heavily pregnant, told of being 'terrified' after coming under attack - as footage of her injuries were was shown to a court And shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said many were too quick to judge the police before they knew the full story. 'Those Labour politicians' who he claimed had rushed to judgement 'before awaiting the full facts should be ashamed,' he said. 'The cabinet minister, Lucy Powell, mistakenly raised concerns in the House of Commons. She should issue a full public apology. 'Police officers do a difficult job. They don't always get it right. But if we're to fight crime and make our country safe again, the police need to know we've got their backs when they tackle violent offenders.' Ms Cooper said she had always offered strong support to police officers who face appalling situations every day. 'I have spoken with Greater Manchester Police about this incident to ensure the officers get the support they need because it is important that they do,' she said. 'At the time, Greater Manchester Police referred that case to make sure it was fully investigated, and it was. It has been investigated properly by the CPS, who bought charges and to make sure that all the circumstances were investigated.' Jurors at Liverpool Crown Court could not reach majority verdicts on either Amaaz or his elder brother Muhammed Amaad, 26, for assault causing actual bodily harm on PC Zachary Marsden. The Crown Prosecution Service will now seek a retrial of both brothers in relation to the allegations that Amaaz and Amaad assaulted PC Marsden causing actual bodily harm, Paul Greaney KC told the court.
ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
Manchester Airport police officer still under investigation for misconduct following arrest kick
A police officer filmed kicking a man in the head after he had been brought down with a Taser could still face misconduct charges - as a man is found guilty of assaulting his female colleagues. PC Zachary Marsden is being investigated by the police complaints watchdog over allegations of professional misconduct towards Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, following an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024. It comes as Amaaz was convicted of the assaults of PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook after a fracas broke out while the officers attempted to arrest him. Mobile phone footage of the aftermath of the arrest went viral on social media after it showed the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer kicking Amaaz while he lying was on the floor. It sparked protests in the brothers' hometown of Rochdale and Manchester city centre, as campaigners took to the streets against "police brutality of a Muslim family". Within hours of the video emerging the brothers appeared in another video with their solicitor - who described them as traumatised. Speaking at the time, Dal Babu, the former Chief Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, said he was "incredibly shocked" by the footage. "They should have suspended the officer immediately, they [GMP] have been brought effectively kicking and screaming to do what the community wants it to do," he said. "I was incredibly shocked by the brutality and the level of violence used by the police officer which was not proportionate or necessary." PC Marsden was swiftly suspended by GMP and he was placed under criminal investigation for assault. But, shortly after, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it was not as "clear cut" as many believed the footage made it out to be. "We would never be so complacent as to say there are no issues with discrimination in parts of our police force or other police forces, you have always got to be very challenging on that front - and we are. "But in this instance it is a complicated situation I think it is a complicated situation, it is not as clear cut." He added: "It's not for any of us just to rush to judgement and say they know everything off the back of something off social media. "The right thing to do is to have a process of investigation that is as independent as it can be." In a press conference the brothers claimed they were the victims of a smear campaign and also alleged their mother was left badly bruised after being hit in the face with a taser during the incident. Their solicitor, Aamer Anwar, told the media: "The two young men sat here today, along with their mother family, are left devastated and traumatised by the incident at Manchester Airport. "Despite the clear attempt by some to place disinformation in the media and on social media, the young men sat next to me do not have a single criminal conviction, not even a speeding ticket." Five months later, after a file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), the body decided PC Marsden would not be charged with any criminal offence, while Amaaz and his brother would face assault charges. Despite the CPS's decision, the IOPC say its investigation has not concluded as the watchdog is still to make a decision on if there is case for misconduct. It said it would take into account all evidence gathered during the investigation - including anything relevant from the trial. 'Our independent investigation into the use of force by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers on six people during a series of arrests at Manchester Airport on 23 July 2024 is nearing completion," a spokesperson said. 'At the end of the investigation, we are required to determine whether there is an indication that anyone serving with the police may have breached the standards of professional behaviour. 'This will take into account all of the evidence gathered during the investigation, not simply matters that were under criminal investigation. 'On concluding our investigation, we will inform the officers, GMP and the people involved in the arrests of our initial determinations.' During the four week criminal trial against the brothers CCTV from the airport, played in court, revealed the moments before the viral footage, which saw Amaaz land 10 punches and kicks on officers. Both brothers denied the allegations and claimed they acted in self defence or in defence of each other. Amaaz told the court when he was 'grabbed' by PC Marsden at a car park pay station he had not realised he was a police officer, and had resisted arrest even when he saw the uniform because he feared the officer was 'going to batter him to death". Giving evidence at the trial, P|C Marsden said he was unaware Amaaz had been tasered and he kicked him in the face 'to stun the subject' as he believed he was attempting to get off the floor. He told the court he did not believe he struck Amaaz's head with a stamp in which he sought to clamp down on the loose wire of his police radio to avoid it being used as a weapon against him. Amaaz was convicted of the assault of PC Lydia Ward causing actual bodily harm and the assault of emergency worker PC Ellie Cook. He was also found guilty of an earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at the airport. The jury - after 10 hours of deliberating - was unable to reach verdicts on allegations that Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, assaulted PC Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm. The Crown will seek a retrial on those counts.
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Brother guilty of attacking two female PCs at Manchester Airport
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video One of the brothers in the viral Manchester Airport fight has been found guilty of attacking two female police officers. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, lashed out at police called to respond to an earlier incident at the Starbucks cafe in the Terminal 2 building. Amaaz was convicted of assaulting PC Lydia Ward and emergency worker PC Ellie Cook. He was also found guilty of headbutting a member of the public Abdulkareem Ismaeil, who he had claimed racially abused his mother on an incoming flight. CCTV footage of the assault was played to jurors at Liverpool Crown Court and shows Amaaz throwing 10 punches, including one to the face of PC Ward that broke her nose and knocked her to the floor. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on allegations that Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, assaulted PC Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm. Prosecutors are now seeking a retrial on these counts. Amaaz insisted his actions, including the headbutt in Starbucks, were all in self-defence, and told jurors he did not realise two of the police officers he hit were women. The brothers had travelled to the airport with their young nephew to collect their mother who was due to arrive back on a flight from Qatar on July 23 last year. Three officers, PC Zachary Marsden and PC Ellie Cook – both armed – and PC Lydia Ward, unarmed, had approached the siblings after a report that a male fitting his description had headbutted a customer at Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals. PC Ward said she had 'never experienced' such violence towards her in her police service. The officer, who joined GMP in 2018, said: 'Never in my whole time in the police service had that level of violence been used on me before. It felt really hard. 'As I came round, all I could feel was blood pouring out of my nose. I was just thinking he has done something to my nose, face area, I didn't know what has happened.' She added: 'I was absolutely terrified. I had never experienced that level of violence towards me in my life. 'I didn't know who was going to come up at me next. I was scared of going after this male again and being punched in the face again.' Cross-examining Amaaz, who said he didn't realise PC Ward was a woman when he punched her, Mr Greaney said: 'The prosecution case is there was absolutely nothing defensive in punching that woman (PC Ward) in the face. More Trending 'It was offensive and unlawful, and you were wholly out of control.' Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson said: 'While disappointed that the prosecution case was not fully endorsed, I welcome the findings of the jury in respect of the convicted offender, whose appalling conduct has now been exposed to legitimate public scrutiny. 'Our officers first approached the man now convicted in order to make an arrest following the unprovoked assault on an innocent man in the presence of his wife and children. They were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. 'I am particularly grateful to those many members of the public who have contacted the force in order to pass on their best wishes to the officers affected.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ian Brady's secret autobiography 'could finally reveal location of final victim' MORE: New York City skyscraper shooting victims identified: Everything we know MORE: Boy, 14, fighting for life after 'horrific' stabbing in east London
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Man found guilty of assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport
A student has been found guilty of assaulting two female police officers during a fracas at Manchester Airport which went viral on social media. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, floored Pc Lydia Ward with a punch to the face which broke her nose and also knocked Pc Ellie Cook to the ground. Both officers and their colleague, Pc Zachary Marsden, approached Amaaz, 20, at a car park ticket machine after a report that a male fitting his description had headbutted a customer at Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals on July 23 last year. Amaaz allegedly resisted, and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, is then said to have intervened as the prosecution said they inflicted a 'high level of violence' on the Greater Manchester Police officers. Both defendants, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, told the court they acted in lawful self-defence, or in defence of the other. On Wednesday a jury at Liverpool Crown Court found Amaaz guilty of the assault of Pc Ward causing actual bodily harm and the assault of emergency worker Pc Cook. Amaaz was also convicted of the Starbucks assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Jurors – after 10 hours of deliberating – could not reach a verdict on allegations the two brothers assaulted Pc Marsden causing actual bodily harm. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the court that the Crown intends to retry both defendants on the charge they assaulted Pc Marsden. Prosecutors had told the jury that CCTV footage showed Amaaz threw 10 punches in total and that Amaad aimed six punches at firearms officer Pc Marsden. Amaaz was also said to have kicked Pc Marsden and twice struck firearms officer Pc Cook with his elbow. He was said to have punched Pc Marsden from behind and then had hold of him before Pc Cook discharged her Taser device. Mobile phone footage of a kick and stamp by Pc Marsden as Amaaz lay on the floor was shared on social media and went viral. Giving evidence, Amaaz said he feared the 'lunatic' male officer would 'batter him to death' and Amaad said he believed he was under attack. The defence said the officers used 'unlawful force' as they grabbed Amaaz from behind without announcing themselves. Amaaz was remanded in custody by Judge Neil Flewitt KC. A bail application hearing for Amaaz will take place on Thursday. In December the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced Pc Marsden would not face charges over the incident. A probe into the actions of Pc Marsden by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) remains ongoing, including a criminal investigation which may consider a re-referral to the CPS, jurors were told. Giving evidence at the trial, Pc Marsden said he was unaware Amaaz had been tasered and he kicked him in the face 'to stun the subject' as he believed he was attempting to get off the floor. He told the court he did not believe he struck Amaaz's head with a stamp in which he sought to clamp down on the loose wire of his police radio to avoid it being used as a weapon against him. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson said he 'welcomed the findings' of the jury in relation to Amaaz, 'whose appalling conduct has now been exposed to legitimate public scrutiny'. 'GMP is actively supportive of a retrial in respect of the two counts where a verdict was not achieved. 'Our officers first approached the man now convicted in order to make an arrest following the unprovoked assault on an innocent man in the presence of his wife and children. 'They were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. 'Whilst assaults on police officers are sadly not uncommon – 44 of my officers are assaulted every week across GM – such attacks can never be justified. Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm's way to protect the public. They deserve our respect and support.'
