Police officer who restrained Rashan Charles before death in custody should be suspended, watchdog says

The officer who first restrained Rashan Charles before he died in police custody should be suspended while under investigation, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said.

The watchdog added that it had "made representations" to Scotland Yard about taking them off duty amid a gross misconduct probe.

Mr Charles, 20, died on 22 July after he was apprehended by Metropolitan Police officers after he ran into a shop in Dalston, east London.

He became unwell while under restraint and died after being taken to Royal London Hospital in nearby Whitechapel.

His death sparked a series of protests in Hackney after CCTV footage showed officers struggling with Mr Charles on the floor of the shop.

One of the demonstrations turned violent as protesters set up barricades, lit fires, and launched bottles and fireworks at police.

The IPCC confirmed it had "made representations" to the Met to suspend the officer, who remains on full duties.

A spokesman said: "It is not a formal recommendation as such, but a representation. It is now a matter for the police force. The representation is based on where we are in the investigation - it's based on a case-by-case basis."

On Monday IPCC investigators formally notified the officer who initially restrained Mr Charles, from south-west London, that he is being investigated for gross misconduct.

Scotland Yard said it was considering the watchdog's representations, which the force said it received on Friday.

"The officer is not suspended or on restricted duties at this time," a force spokesman said. "The IPCC has served a notice on the officer, and the Met will now be reviewing what restrictions, if any, should be placed on the officer. In reaching that decision the Met will liaise with the IPCC, as is usual."

The watchdog has previously said attempts were made to remove an object from Mr Charles's mouth or throat after he was apprehended.

The package, which was eventually removed from his airways by paramedics, was later found to contain a legal mixture of caffeine and paracetamol.

The opening of an inquest into Mr Charles's death last month heard that there had been two post-mortem examinations carried out, with the second on behalf of his family and the police.

But coroner's officer David Brereton said no medical cause of death had been offered, pending the results of toxicology and other tests.

Mr Charles's family have previously expressed concerns over the "openness and transparency" of the IPCC investigation into his death.

A full inquest is expected to be held in front of a jury next June.

A peaceful vigil organised in the wake of Mr Charles's death was followed by a further protest which turned to violence and disorder.

Protesters lit several small fires and threw bottles and fireworks at police officers as unrest broke out on 28 July.

Police said no one was seriously hurt, although an officer suffered an eye injury.

Mr Charles's family pleaded for calm following the disorder, calling on protesters to “support them in their struggle” but with “peace on the streets”.