Video shows HS2 worker kneeling on man’s neck
MP INFORMS AUTHORITIES OF CONSTITUENTS’ CLAIMS:
VIDEO footage shows an HS2 worker with his knee on a protester’s neck.
The clip was recorded after the protester allegedly catapulted carrots over an HS2 work site fence, reports Staffordshire Live.
The MP for Fradley, where the video was shot, told reporters he had contacted ministers, police and HS2 after an alleged “excessive use of force” was reported by “several constituents”.
Michael Fabricant informed the authorities of their claims the protester was thrown to the ground, kicked by “a number” of HS2 workers and restrained “with a knee on his neck for at least four minutes”.
According to the organisation’s bosses, HS2 staff have been “repeatedly and excessively targeted by political activists” who have “subjected them to violence”.
Police have confirmed they arrested a protester on suspicion of assault and possessing an offensive weapon and are now investigating the allegations against the HS2 workers.
They were called to where the line is being built at Fradley Wood on Sunday, November 15, while workers were clearing a wooded area. Speaking based on what he claimed to be reports from his constituents, Mr Fabricant said: “A lone protester had, unwisely, fired some carrots using a catapult over the HS2 fence from the other side of the road.
“The man was thrown to the ground by a number of HS2 security people, kicked, and held down with a knee on his neck for at least four minutes, someone timed it.
“During this time a number of passing motorists stopped to protest, but it was not until the police arrived that he was able to get up.
“My views on HS2 and the destruction of ancient woodlands are well known. Despite my voting against the legislation in Parliament, HS2 was authorised with an overwhelming majority.
“However, the law does not permit using excessive force by HS2 against protesters.
“I was not a witness to the event, so I cannot judge whether excessive force was used or, indeed, whether any force was necessary at all. But several constituents have contacted me about this event and I take their concern seriously.
“I have, therefore, written to Gareth Morgan, the chief constable of Staffordshire Police, to ask whether there is evidence that HS2 personnel have committed an assault and have also written to Andrew Stephenson MP - the minister at the Department for Transport responsible for HS2 - and the managing director of HS2, Mark Thurston.
“Lawful protest against HS2 is permitted. Heavy handed tactics by HS2 are not.” A HS2 spokesman said: “In recent weeks, HS2 has been repeatedly and excessively targeted by political activists who have trespassed on construction sites, endangering themselves, our workers and the general public, subjecting our hard-working employees to violence and antisocial behaviour and placing unnecessary strain on the emergency services during the pandemic.
“HS2 has been approved by democratically elected MPS on multiple occasions and the project is playing a pivotal role in helping Britain’s economic recovery.
“There are 13,000 people already working on the project and we recently announced a further 22,000 jobs across the country at a time when it needs them most.”
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “We were called to an incident at around 11.30am on Sunday, November 15 following reports a man had fired pellets at staff working at a site in Fradley.
“Officers attended the location and a 50-year-old man from Wolverhampton was arrested on suspicion of assault and possessing an offensive weapon. He has since received a conditional caution.
“Following the incident, we have been made aware of complaints about how the man was restrained by security staff at the location and we are investigating.
“Anyone with information should contact Staffordshire police on 101 or via social media referring to incident 227 of November 15.”