• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About DNS
  • Subscribe to DNS
  • Advertise with DNS
  • Support DNS
  • Contact DNS

Disability News Service

the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues

  • Home
  • Independent Living
    • Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Transport
  • Activism & Campaigning
  • Benefits & Poverty
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
You are here: Home / News Archive / Treatment of disabled protester raises fears for other activists

Treatment of disabled protester raises fears for other activists

By guest on 1st December 2010 Category: News Archive

Listen

Campaigners say the treatment of an activist who was dragged across a road by a Metropolitan police officer raises serious concerns about the safety of other disabled people taking part in mass protests.

They have demanded that the police answer urgent questions about the treatment of Jody McIntyre, who was allegedly hit with a baton and twice pulled from his wheelchair during the student tuition fees protests in London.

Anne Novis, who until this summer was co-chair of the Met’s disability independent advisory group, said: “I have tried to make repeated contact with the [Met] on this issue and had no appropriate response to the seriousness of disabled people’s concerns.

“Police policies are quite clear that wheelchair-users are not to be treated like this. If they have to be moved then it should be done in their wheelchair.”

She said there was an urgent need for answers from the Met and the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) – the body that monitors and scrutinises the force – with many disabled people likely to take part in future demonstrations around government spending cuts.

Disabled activists who took part in a protest this week over housing benefit cuts said images of McIntyre seemingly being dragged from his wheelchair and across a road by a police officer had made them consider their own safety.

Maz, a wheelchair-user who took part in the housing benefit protest, said: “It was the first thing that was in my mind when I got up this morning. I’m scared, but I’m willing to get thrown to the floor and hurt.

“We have as much right to voice our concerns about these cuts as anyone else.”

McIntyre was widely interviewed across the media after the two separate incidents. YouTube footage strongly backed his claims that he had been tipped out of his wheelchair and dragged across a road by a police officer.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said no complaint had yet been made about McIntyre’s treatment.

But an EHRC spokeswoman said police forces facing such complaints would “have to demonstrate that their tactics were fair and proportionate”.

She added: “On a case-by-case basis, you would have to ask very serious questions about whether it was appropriate or proportionate to pull a disabled man from his wheelchair.”

A Met police spokesman said: “As a result of the media coverage, the [force’s] directorate of professional standards is investigating the circumstances surrounding this matter.”

Following that decision, McIntyre lodged a complaint with the Met over both incidents, and also alleged that his treatment amounted to disability discrimination.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is supervising the Met investigation.

Deborah Glass, the IPCC commissioner for London, said: “There is no doubt that this footage is disturbing and it is right that it should be thoroughly investigated, both for Mr McIntyre and in the wider public interest.”

An MPA spokeswoman said: “The MPA is aware of the incident and has been advised by the [Met] that they are conducting an internal investigation.”

But she declined to comment when asked what measures the MPA would be taking to ensure the safety of other disabled protesters.

16 December 2010

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on RedditShare on LinkedIn
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Related

‘Muddled’ blue badge reforms ‘are to blame for renewal delays’
6th February 2015
UN debate will be reminder of true inclusive education
6th February 2015
IDS breaks pledge on PIP waiting-times, as tens of thousands still queue for months
30th January 2015

Primary Sidebar

On the left of the image are multiple heads of different colours - white, aqua, red, light brown, and dark green - all grouped together, then the words ‘Campaign for Disability Justice. Sign up to support. #OpportunitySecurityRespect’
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Access

Latest Stories

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’

Four disabled Labour MPs stand up to government over cuts to disability benefits

Silence from MP sister of Rachel Reeves over suicide linked to PIP flaws, just as government was seeking cuts

Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, Covid inquiry hears

Disabled activists warn Labour MPs who vote for cuts: ‘The gloves will be off’

GB News says it has nothing to apologise for, after guest suggests starving disabled benefit claimants

SEND inspections find services in just one in four areas usually lead to ‘positive’ outcomes for disabled children

Disabled MP who quit government over benefit cuts tells DNS: ‘The consequences will be devastating’

Disabled peers plan to ‘amend, amend, amend, amend, amend’ after assisted dying bill reaches Lords

Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims

Advice and Information

Readspeaker
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Footer

The International Standard Serial Number for Disability News Service is: ISSN 2398-8924

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site map
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 Disability News Service

Site development by A Bright Clear Web