The Metropolitan Police are close to agreeing compensation with the family of Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground by a riot officer during the G20 protests of April 2009.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in London, Stephen Greenhalgh, has authorised the Met to settle the claim.

It is thought an announcement could be made within the next few days.

Mr Tomlinson’s widow, Julia, and seven of his children and step-children have pursued the compensation claim

Mr Tomlinson had been walking home when he was struck with a baton and pushed to the ground by PC Simon Harwood during protests in the City of London.

The 47-year-old newspaper seller collapsed minutes later and died of internal bleeding, in what was later found by an inquest jury to be an unlawful killing.

Though PC Harwood was acquitted last year of manslaughter, he was later sacked by the Met police for gross misconduct.

Undisclosed amount

According to documents from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), Mr Tomlinson’s family has been seeking damages for “assault and battery”, bereavement damages for his widow, “dependency claims” for each family member for “breach of the right to life” as well as funeral expenses.

In March this year, MOPAC said the case had had “significant impact on public confidence and on the public’ [sic] perception of fairness”.

It added that “settling this case may assist in restoring public confidence”.

Mr Greenhalgh gave approval to begin negotiations with lawyers for Mr Tomlinson’s family, and the Met’s legal department later asked the deputy mayor to “agree to increase the sum offered” to settle the claim.

He gave his authorisation for that in a document dated 30 June. The amount of money has not been disclosed.

Mr Tomlinson’s family is also seeking an apology from the Met and for the force to accept responsibility for his death on 1 April 2009.