A worrying anti-police “bandwagon” has built up over the handling of the G20 protests, the leader of rank-and-file officers told The Times last night.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, said that much of the criticism by politicians and media commentators was inaccurate, ill informed and ignorant.

Mr McKeever, a Metropolitan Police sergeant with experience of riot situations, said that officers faced “real provocation” at the protests on April 1.

“A lot of that is based on people taking ill-informed positions. Demonstrations like that are extremely difficult to police and a lot of the criticism has been very unfair. There is a broad-ranging bandwagon rolling and it is of concern. There seems to be a disconnection between commentators in the media and the public, and what it is that police officers do.”

Two Met officers have been suspended from duty pending independent inquiries into the death of Ian Tomlinson, 47, a newspaper vendor, and reports that Nicky Fisher, 35, was struck by an officer during the protests. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has received almost 200 complaints about the policing of G20.

David Winnick, a senior Labour backbencher, called on the Home Secretary yesterday to make a statement about what he said was “police brutality” during the protests.

Nick Hardwick, chairman of the commission, and Denis O’Connor, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, who are charged with inquiring into G20 policing, will appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee today.

Sir Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said that officers who “crossed the line” in standards of behaviour had to be dealt with. But he added: “Those who do not cross the line, the vast and overwhelming majority, deserve our support.”

The officer being investigated over Mr Tomlinson’s death is believed to have requested a third post-mortem examination. A decision by the City of London Coroner is expected within a few days, Channel 4 News reported.

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