The family of Ian Tomlinson told of their ‘hurt’ after a jury cleared the Met police officer of his death.
Just minutes after the decision was read out, the newspaper vendor’s stepson, Paul King fought back tears as he told they would continue to fight for justice.
Surrounded by his family, including Mr Tomlinson’s widow Julia and another stepson, Richard King, he said: “In April 2009, along with everyone else, we saw the shocking video of Ian being violently assaulted by Pc Harwood, just minutes before he died.
“After the unlawful killing verdict at the inquest last year, we were expected to hear a guilty verdict, not a not guilty verdict. It really hurts.
“But it’s not the end, we’re not giving up on justice for Ian.”
He added: “There has to be one more formal and final answer to the question: who killed Ian Tomlinson? That will now be pursued in the civil courts.
“The last three years have been an uphill battle, we’ve had to deal with many obstacles, setbacks and emotions on the way.
“It’s been very hard to keep going and we took strength and support from everyone, from the public.”
He thanked medical student Lucy Apps, who tried to save his stepfather’s life after he collapsed.
Later, when asked what he thought of the verdict, Mr King said: “It’s a joke.”
