Whistleblower claims 'police stitched up minister Andrew Mitchell in Plebgate row'
A TORY Cabinet minister at the centre of the “Plebgate” row was “stitched up” by police, a whistleblower has claimed.
Andrew Mitchell resigned as Chief Whip over allegations that he launched a foul-mouthed tirade at officers guarding Downing Street and called them plebs when they refused to let him cycle through the main gates last year.
He denied using the word or swearing directly at the officers. Prosecutors are now examining claims police officers were involved in a conspiracy to smear Mr Mitchell.
It emerged yesterday that a senior officer earlier this year approached Tory MP David Davis, who has been helping Mr Mitchell try to clear his name, with a damning account.
The whistleblower admitted he did not have direct knowledge but was given the information by a superior.
One officer was said by him to have told colleagues after their confrontation with Mr Mitchell, in which the minister allegedly jabbed his finger at them: “Right, we can stitch him up.”
The Metropolitan Police file on the allegations went to the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this month for a decision on whether to take court action.
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Two Kent police officers hurt in Tunbridge Wells arrest
Two police officers have been injured as they tried to make an arrest in the centre of Tunbridge Wells.
Kent Police said they were being treated in hospital, but did not disclose their injuries or condition.
It is believed they were injured after being called to Monson Road, in the town centre, just before 13:00 BST after a driver threatened a pedestrian.
A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with an assault. No weapons were believed to have been used.
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The IPCC seeks judicial review of the Metropolitan Police's handling of schedule 7 complaint investigations
Commenting on the decision to seek a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police’s handling of schedule 7 complaint investigations, Deborah Glass, IPCC Deputy Chair, said:
“On Wednesday 9 October the IPCC filed papers at the High Court in London seeking a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police’s failure to comply with its statutory duties in relation to complaints regarding its use of police powers under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This is the power to stop, question and detain people at ports of entry and departure.”
“The IPCC is challenging the MPS’s handling of these complaints, including its delay in investigating, its failure to investigate the reasons for stops and its failure to provide reports and background documents to the IPCC.
“The Metropolitan Police’s repeated delay and reluctance to comply has left us with no option but to take this matter to the High Court to resolve the position once and for all.
“It’s wholly unsatisfactory that the IPCC is denied answers to the questions complainants raise about the Metropolitan Police’s use of this power and that the IPCC is prevented from carrying out its statutory role.
“This is not a problem the IPCC has encountered with any other police force and we await the High Court’s determination on this matter.”
