An MEN photograher trying to snap a mass brawl in Spinningfields was left astonished when police arrested him as well.
Experienced snapper Sean Wilton was covering the court appearance at Manchester Magistrates' Court of two men accused of assaulting Big Fat Gypsy Weddings star Paddy Doherty.
When two groups of men began fighting outside court in full public view of passers-by, Sean tried to take pictures of the scene.
But he was stunned when a police officer accused him of breach of the peace and bundled him into a police car.
Pictured: Violent brawl in Spinningfields outside Big Fat Gypsy Weddings court hearing
The arrest was later quashed and he was released without charge. Other M.E.N. photographers were threatened with arrest if they did not delete images they had taken. Sean, 43, said he was originally told by an officer not to take pictures and that he was obstructing them.
Sean said: “He didn’t seem to want to listen and told me that I was obstructing the police.
“I tried to explain I wasn’t obstructing and was just doing my job, but to no avail.
“When I tried to speak to him about the situation, he arrested me for breach of the peace.
“As professional photographers, we do try to conduct ourselves as professionally as possible.”
Fellow MEN photographer Steve Allen, 53, who was also threatened with arrest, said: “We were trying to take pictures of the scene as it unfolded in front of us in a public place.
“We weren’t obstructing them at in any way shape or form. They threatened to confiscate our camera gear on more than one occasion. I think they were well over the top when we were just doing our jobs.”
A police spokesman said: “A photographer was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. Officers brought the situation under control and the photographer was de-arrested and subsequently released.”
Pictured: Violent brawl in Spinningfields outside Big Fat Gypsy Weddings court hearing
MEN Comment
We report today how one of our photographers was arrested while taking pictures of a street brawl following a court hearing relating to an assault on Big Fat Gypsy Weddings star Paddy Doherty. Other MEN photographers were threatened with arrest if they did not delete images, but refused to do so.
Our photographer was later released without charge. But serious questions remain about the police's attitude to professional journalists doing their job in bearing witness to a newsworthy event in a public place in the middle of Manchester.
Wiser judgement prevailed when senior officers became involved. But this unfortunate incident is evidence of a worrying phenomenon, that some rank and file police officers no longer seem to understand or respect the role of the press.
When we reach the stage that constables decide where we can and cannot point a camera in bringing you the news, we will be living in a police state.
