The council has issued a statement.
MP Hannah Spencer was ushered away by police as the event turned violent(Image: Gary Roberts)
A Salford council worker is being investigated by his employer after clashes between demonstrators at Piccadilly Gardens last week. An anti-hate event organised by Greater Manchester Together Alliance turned violent as scuffles broke out in the city centre on Sunday, March 8, on International Women’s Day.
Ameen Hadi, 59, works in children’s services at Salford council and is also equalities officer at Salford City Unison, the city’s branch of the trade union. Video clips being shared online appear to show Mr Hadi in attendance at the event and in amongst the chaotic scenes.
Some posts have accused the Salford council worker of attacking another person at the event. Mr Hadi said he has been targeted by a ‘far-right campaign’ and ‘accused of something that I have not done.’
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He is being investigated by his employer over the incident.
A Salford City Council spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a matter involving a member of staff and are examining the circumstances of what has happened, in line with our agreed procedures. It is not appropriate to comment further while this happens.”
Greater Manchester Police said it is investigating the incident while reviewing CCTV and other footage.
Unison’s national office declined to comment.
Mr Hadi said: “I can’t comment on Sunday [March 8], and I can’t comment directly about what action the council have taken against me, beyond the fact that my union branch are supporting a campaign against any disciplinary matters involving me.”
Salford council said it is investigating the incident(Image: LDRS)
Salford’s Unison branch has taken information about its work and staff members down from its website after the incident.
Mr Hadi said the city’s Unison branch had to ‘shut down’ because of ‘threats’ being made against it. An online petition has been signed by 1,700 people calling to ‘defend’ Mr Hadi and the Salford City Unison branch.
It called for an ‘immediate end to disciplinary proceedings’ by Salford council over the matter.
Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer, from the Green Party, was seen speaking at the Piccadilly Gardens event on March 8 before being ushered away by police as it turned violent.
A Green Party spokesperson said after the incident: “Hannah won’t be silenced and will continue to speak up for the communities that she has been elected to represent.”
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