A POLICEMAN caught on camera hitting newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, and shoving him to the ground during G20 protests, was suspended last night.

The officer came forward to officials probing the death of the 47-year-old from an apparent heart attack during demonstra-tions near the Bank of England.

An amateur cameraman caught the policeman’s actions on camera as thousands of protesters converged in the City last Wednesday.

An IPCC spokeswoman said: “The IPCC has called for the officer to be suspended. The Metropolitan Police has now informed us that the officer has been suspended with immediate effect.

“Although decisions about suspension are a matter for the chief officer of the police, when there is an IPCC investigation, the police are obliged to consult with us over the suspension of officers.

“In this case, we have expressed the view that the officer in question should be suspended from duty, in the public interest.”

Critics have accused the Met of issuing ’’misleading'' statements after footage emerged of the officer striking Mr Tomlinson with his baton and violently pushing him to the ground.

Mr Tomlinson’s family have demanded answers, and a second post- mortem was ordered to find if any external factors contributed to his sudden death.

Officials are poring over hours of CCTV, photos and footage filmed by protesters to try to piece together his last moments.

Protesters calling for a public inquiry are expected to return to the spot where he died on Saturday to lay flowers after marching from Bethnal Green police station at noon.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “A Metropolitan Police territorial support group police constable has been suspended, effective immediately, in relation to the IPCC investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson.

“Although the Metropolitan Police consulted with the IPCC, the decision was taken independently by the Metropolitan Police, having considered all the circumstances.”

Kit Malthouse, deputy chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), said he met IPCC investigator Deborah Glass. “During the meeting, I reiterated the full support of the MPA and the Mayor for a rigorous and speedy investigation into the incident.’’

Mr Malthouse said the authority believed the suspension was the right course of action.

“Aside from this tragic incident, and in order to maintain public trust in the police handling of public order events, the MPA has asked that members receive a thorough briefing about the tactics employed during the G20 protests.”