THE widow of Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground by a police officer in protests in 2009, has said an apology and settlement from Scotland Yard is "as close as we are going to get to justice".

Julia Tomlinson described the past four years as "a really hard uphill battle" as her family has fought to get to the truth of what happened to the 47-year-old.

Her husband was hit with a baton and shoved by Pc Simon Harwood at G20 demonstrations in the City of London, and later collapsed and died.

An inquest jury found that Mr Tomlinson was unlawfully killed, but Pc Harwood was cleared of manslaughter at a trial at Southwark Crown Court last year.

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police paid tribute to the pain his widow and family have "endured with dignity".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner said: "I take full responsibility for the actions of Simon Harwood on 1 April 2009. His actions fell far below the standard we expect from our officers. I accept the finding of the inquest that Mr Tomlinson was unlawfully killed.

"As the jury found, 'at the time of the strike and push Mr Tomlinson was walking away from the police line. He was complying with police instructions to leave Royal Exchange Buildings. He posed no threat.' Today, I apologise unreservedly for Simon Harwood's use of excessive and unlawful force, which caused Mr Tomlinson's death, and for the suffering and distress caused to his family as a result."

Mr Tomlinson's fatal encounter with Mr Harwood was caught on film by a New York hedge fund manager.

It showed Mr Tomlinson walking away from police officers, and falling to the ground after he was hit and shoved by Mr Harwood.

Mrs Tomlinson said: "Today's apology and admission by the Metropolitan Police that their officer unlawfully killed Ian marks the end of our campaign and legal case."

Mr Harwood was sacked by the Met after a disciplinary panel, sitting in public for the first time, found him guilty of misconduct.