Whistleblower Police Officer Under Criminal Investigation for Leaking Footage That Revealed the Truth
Overview
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer is under criminal investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after allegedly leaking CCTV footage to the media, which exposed the full circumstances of a high-profile incident at Manchester Airport last year.
The footage, which was shared with the Manchester Evening News, showed convicted assailant Mohammed Fahir Amaaz violently attacking two female police officers and a member of the public, directly contradicting the viral partial mobile phone clip that had earlier sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and political condemnation.
Despite the CCTV footage helping to calm public tensions by providing critical context, the IOPC has now launched a criminal probe into the officer accused of leaking it, investigating possible offences including disclosing evidence from an active investigation without a legitimate policing purpose.
Public Interest vs. Internal Discipline?
The controversial decision to target the alleged whistleblower has reignited fierce debate over transparency, press freedom, and police accountability.
The Manchester Evening News, which refused to reveal its source, defended its decision to publish the footage as a matter of public interest. Editor Sarah Lester stated:
“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.”
Critics argue that the investigation into the officer highlights misplaced priorities within policing oversight bodies, accusing the IOPC of focusing more on silencing internal dissent than addressing the wider consequences of misleading viral content.
What Happened at Manchester Airport?
The original mobile phone clip showed a GMP officer striking a man on the ground, with no context of the events leading up to that moment. It quickly went viral, sparking protests at Manchester Airport, calls to shut down the airport, and widespread condemnation of the officers involved.
However, the subsequent release of full CCTV footage revealed that Amaaz had moments earlier assaulted a man in a café before launching a violent attack on two female officers—breaking one officer’s nose so severely she required surgery. Amaaz was later convicted of all three assaults.
Criminal Investigation Launched
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed:
“We can confirm a Greater Manchester Police officer was recently informed they are being criminally investigated over an allegation they shared footage relating to an active police investigation into an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024 without any legitimate policing purpose.”
The officer’s actions are being assessed for potential breaches of data protection laws and disclosing material from an active investigation.
‘Plugging Leaks, Not Fixing the Pipes’
The case has drawn condemnation from police advocates, journalists, and civil liberty campaigners who question why the individual who sought to correct a dangerous narrative is now facing potential criminal charges.
“The officer helped prevent further public disorder by revealing the truth. Yet the system is more concerned with plugging leaks than fixing the pipes,” said a former GMP officer, speaking anonymously.
The IOPC has faced criticism for what some see as an overzealous pursuit of whistleblowers, while doing little to challenge the initial spread of misleading footage that nearly sparked riots.
The Fallout
Amaaz was convicted in July 2025 for three assaults, including grievous bodily harm on a police officer. The officer now under investigation was among those who responded to the violent outburst.
As the IOPC investigation continues, press freedom groups are rallying behind the whistleblower, warning that criminalising the release of evidence in the public interest sets a dangerous precedent.
The Manchester Evening News has confirmed it will resist any legal demands to reveal its source.
