A PC has been cleared of killing newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests – as details of the officer’s controversial disciplinary record emerged.

Simon Harwood, 45, sobbed after he was found not guilty of manslaughter at London’s Southwark Crown Court. He made no comment as he left the court, surrounded by a scrum of journalists and police officers.

Members of Mr Tomlinson’s family also wept in the public gallery as the verdict was given, as did Mr Harwood’s wife.

Speaking outside court, Mr Tomlinson’s stepson Paul King described the verdict as “a joke”.

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.”

Mr King said the family would not pursue the case in the civil courts.

The jury of seven women and five men took 18 hours and 45 minutes to clear him.

The police watchdog the IPCC has said that Harwood will face Metropolitan Police internal disciplinary proceedings later in the year over the incident.

After the verdict journalists were able to reveal for the first time details of Harwood’s controversial disciplinary record.

A series of allegations were made against him in a period of 12 years, but details were ruled inadmissible as part of the trial.

The officer faced a number of complaints about his behaviour, one of which prompted a chief to say his conduct had “fallen well below that expected of a police officer”.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner condeded that police had made mistakes in vetting processes.

“Following the conclusion of the trial of PC Harwood, we will now need to review the misconduct case against him, as required by the Home Office guidance,” the officer said.

“PC Harwood had previously served with the Metropolitan Police Service as well as Surrey Police. The details of his previous employment were examined at the inquest into Ian Tomlinson’s death.

“It is clear that insufficient recording and checks meant that detailed information regarding the officer’s misconduct history was not shared at key points.

“We got that wrong. Since then there have been huge changes to vetting processes.

“Now all applicants, including officers applying to becoming police staff, as well those re-joining or transferring from other police services, are formally vetted and this involves a full misconduct intelligence check.

“Our sympathies are with the family of Mr Tomlinson and I will endeavour to ensure they are fully updated of any future actions with regard to PC Harwood.”

Harwood cried in the dock when he was cleared, and walked out to an embrace from his wife Helen.

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