UK Cop Caught Framing Citizen Journalist On Camera

Mikael Thalen
Storyleak.com
February 4, 2014

A citizen journalist was assaulted and set up by a UK police officer late last week while covering a fracking protest in Barton Moss, England.

Revealed by a YouTube video, the unknown officer can first be seen assaulting and knocking over the journalist as he attempts to film an arrest by police. Continuing to be shoved away from the scene, the journalist is suddenly accused of drinking, a clear attempt by the officer to intimidate and coerce the man into leaving.

“Are you drunk? Have you been drinking this morning,” the officer begins repeating.

Incredibly, as other police approach the altercation, the officer begins blatantly accusing the journalist of admitting to drinking. Despite the video clearly exonerating the journalist, the officer continues to fabricate claims, next accusing the man of driving drunk.

“He’s come in a car this morning, I smell alcohol on his breath,” the officer boldly claims. “He’s already admitted to having a drink.”

After ignoring the journalist’s requests to know whether or not he has been arrested, the officer goes on to illegally detain the man, pushing him to take a roadside breathalyzer test.

“I’m a pedestrian on a public footpath,” the journalist repeats.

The officer goes on to contradict himself several times, telling fellow officers that the journalist absolutely drove drunk to the protest before suddenly switching to mere suspicion.

After being handed off to a group of new officers, the journalist continues to be accused of drinking and driving as a new officer pushes the man to take a breath test.

“If you refuse to provide a specimen of breath you will be arrested,” an officer says.

Unsurprisingly, the new officer decides to claim that the journalist was seen driving as well. After refusing multiple requests to submit to a breath test, obviously fearing a further set up, the journalist is arrested as his camera is shut off.

The shocking video evidence represents the increasingly bold corruption of police officers, not only willing to commit serious crimes on camera, but clearly confident in the fact that no disciplinary action will be taken.

(H/T: 21stcenturywire)