Andrew Mitchell resigns as Chief Whip 19 October 2012 Andrew Mitchell resigns as Chief Whip The fallout from "Plebgate" claims Mitchell, four weeks on, as he admits telling Downing Street police "I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us". Sign up for our weekly email * The news has just broken that Andrew Mitchell has resigned as Chief Whip. Number 10 announced on Twitter that David Cameron had accepted the resignation. The Prime Minister has accepted the resignation of Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell. — No. 10 Press Office(@Number10press) October 19, 2012 Below is Mitchell's resignation letter in which he admits that he swore at the police, but denies calling them "plebs". In his response to Mitchell, David Cameron said: Thank you for your letter. I was sorry to receive it, but I understand why you have reached the conclusion you have, and why you have decided to resign from the Government. I regret that this has become necessary, and am very grateful for all you have done, both in Government and in Opposition – as well as for the kind words in your letter.

As we discussed in advance of the reshuffle, I wanted you to bring your organisational skill and energy to the important job of chief whip. It was clear to me that you had already made a strong start. As you have acknowledged, the incident in Downing Street was no acceptable and you were right to apologise for it. You have much to be proud of from your service on the frontbench both in opposition and in government, and in your continued service to your constituents in Sutton Coldfield. I hope that, in time, you will be able to make a further contribution to public life. Trust in police damaged by controversies - Vaz - BBC News Trust in police damaged by controversies - Vaz 30 December 2012 Close share panel Media captionKeith Vaz: "All these factors come together to become a dangerous cocktail" Public confidence in the police has been hurt by a "dangerous cocktail" of controversies including the critical Hillsborough report and Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" row, a senior MP has warned. Labour's Keith Vaz, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs Committee, also said government restructuring of the service had undermined police morale. He called for talks between government and police at this "defining moment".

The Home Office said public confidence in the police remained high. Mr Vaz's committee begins an inquiry into police practices next month. This will look into issues of training, accountability and integrity, and the effectiveness of processes for dealing with internal corruption and malpractice. Last year former rail regulator Tom Winsor wrote a controversial report into changing police pay and conditions and in June he was appointed Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales, despite criticism by the Police Federation. Analysis By Robin BrantPolitical Correspondent, BBC News Plebgate, Hillsborough and Winsor; three words that Keith Vaz believes are linked. Three words Mr Vaz believes explains a threat to trust on the public side and low morale on the cop side. But David Cameron and Theresa May - the police reform enforcer - won't see it that way. Yes, they know the changes they are pushing ahead with, to reform police pay and conditions, are controversial. But they also believe that the bulk of Tom Winsor's proposals are essential to make the 43 constabularies work better with less money. Some in government will welcome the self-inflicted damage from collusion over Hillsborough and claims that an officer lied about seeing an Andrew Mitchell rant.

But most will be uncomfortable about an erosion in trust. They need that thin blue line - especially, if, as some warn, the 2011 riots could come round again. But make no mistake, the prime minister said any claims an officer fabricated evidence were "extremely serious." That means the police - in London in particular - need to do all they can to ensure any wrongdoing is rooted out and exposed as the rare instance he hopes it is. Mr Vaz told the BBC: "I believe we have the best police force in the world and the work that is being done up and down the country is cherished by local people. "But recent events, the Andrew Mitchell issue, the results of the Hillsborough inquiry and the fact that 26 out of the 43 police forces do not have a permanent chief constable - all these factors come together and become a dangerous cocktail. "We have confidence in the police not being as high as it should be, we have police having little confidence in their jobs, we have half of those surveyed who want to do another job.

"Taken together, this is an important moment and I feel we need to start a dialogue and be very clear over what the police's responsibilities are in the 21st century." 'Too rapid' Tory MP Andrew Mitchell resigned as chief whip following an accusation that, during an argument while leaving Downing Street on his bicycle in September, he had called police officers "plebs" - a claim he has always denied. CCTV footage has since emerged appearing to cast doubt on officers' version of events, and a serving Met police constable has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and suspended from duty. While Mr Vaz acknowledged that some restructuring of policing was needed, he said the government's changes had been "too rapid and too far-reaching". Currently, almost half of officers questioned said they would prefer a different job, Mr Vaz suggested, and more than 90% felt the force lacked government support. "As any management would tell you, you've got to make sure you carry the workforce with you. Unfortunately that is not happening and that is why police morale is at an all-time low.

"I think the government is wrong to be retrospectively changing pension conditions, as the previous Labour government was wrong to stop the annual pay rise they were entitled to a few years ago." What was wanted now, he said, was "cool heads, strong leadership" and a proper discussion between the prime minister, force leaders, and the police association the Police Federation. 'Hard work' Following Mr Vaz's remarks, a Home Office spokesman said surveys regularly showed that public confidence in the police remained high. He told the BBC: "Police reform is working and crime is falling. The police budget is £14bn a year and it's only right that they should make a contribution to reducing the budget deficit. "Chief constables are rising to the challenge of making efficiency savings and providing greater value for money. "We have swept away central targets and reduced police bureaucracy. How the police are deployed, rather than their absolute numbers, is what is key to cutting crime." Mr Vaz's comments come as the Sunday Times reports that the government has released new figures suggesting crime has fallen by 10% in 19 out of 43 police forces in England and Wales, despite budget cuts.

Police minister Damian Green told the paper: "These statistics prove what we have said all along. It is possible to reduce spending while maintaining and even improving the service given to the public." The Police Federation's new chairman Steve Williams was quoted as saying: "These figures, whilst a snapshot, are testament to the hard work and dedication displayed by police officers who, when faced with challenges, rise deftly to meet them." The Association of Chief Police Officers said the relationship between the public and police was very durable and there was evidence, such as from the British Crime Survey, which showed public confidence in policing had remained stable.

A spokeswoman said: "Police officers and staff take huge pride in the job they do and while this is a time of reform and tough financial decisions, their commitment to serve the public remains absolutely wholehearted." 'Plebgate' Officers Seek Review Over Investigation Into Their Conduct | The Huffington Post 'Plebgate' Officers Seek Review Over Investigation Into Their Conduct 12/01/2014 16:24 | Updated 23 January 2014 The Huffington Post UK/PA BEN STANSALL via Getty Images Three police officers are challenging the legality of an investigation into their conduct in the Plebgate affair , it has emerged. The Police Federation is supporting the officers in their application for judicial review of the probe by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Andrew Mitchell And Plebgate: How It Happened Federation representatives Inspector Ken MacKaill, Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton and Sergeant Chris Jones were initially told they would face no action over accounts they gave of a meeting with the then Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell the month after his row with officers in Downing Street, but that decision is now being reconsidered.

Mr Mitchell, who eventually resigned from his post, became involved in a heated confrontation with officers in September 2012 after he was refused permission to cycle through the main gate. He later admitted swearing but denied he called officers "plebs". The following month, he met with Mr Hinton, Mr Jones and Mr MacKaill in his Sutton Coldfield constituency to clear the air, but a further row was sparked when the officers told journalists that he had refused to reveal what he said in Downing Street, something apparently contradicted by a recording of the meeting. The Police Federation said papers seeking judicial review were lodged at the High Court on Friday and a decision on whether the application will be granted is awaited. A spokeswoman said: "Following a request to consider the lawfulness of its decision the IPCC was asked to suspend its investigation and an invitation to the officers to attend for interview. This was declined. "As a result there was no option but to lodge an application for judicial review, which is the appropriate route to challenge decisions taken by a public authority. "The three officers have been legally advised that the interviews should not now take place while the High Court is seized of the matter.

The IPCC have been fully informed of the intention to apply for judicial review and that an application had been issued." She added: "It is only right and proper that police officers face investigation where they are suspected of wrongdoing. At the same time, police officers are entitled to understand the process that will hold them to account for their actions as with any disciplinary proceedings and to accept the outcome in good faith. "We believe that the IPCC's actions are unlawful. In the interest of fairness, the system should be changed if it is judged not to be working, rather than move the goal posts after the event. This is now for the High Court to determine." She said it was wholly inaccurate to suggest that the three officers had refused to meet with the IPCC. An IPCC spokeswoman said: "Our position is that our investigation is lawful and it remains ongoing. "When we appeared before the Home Affairs Committee on November 5 we informed them that, unless further lines of enquiry were identified, we would complete our investigation by Christmas. "As part of the review of the available evidence the investigator did pursue some additional lines of enquiry and as a result there is a delay in the original timing. All interested persons were advised of a possible delay in late November.

"To date, all three officers have been served with notices advising them they are subject to investigation and their actions, if proven, would amount to gross misconduct. We have also redrafted the terms of reference and enhanced the audio recording of the meeting in order to make a definitive transcription of it. "All that remains to complete the investigation is for the officers to be interviewed. In late December the three officers were asked to agree dates to attend to be interviewed with the investigator but declined to do so. As a result, under the relevant legislation, the investigator has specified times and dates for these interviews later this month (January). On Friday, a serving police officer, Pc Keith Wallis, admitted lying about witnessing the row in Downing Street. He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to a charge of misconduct in public office, having been charged after sending an email to Conservative deputy chief whip John Randall, who was his MP, wrongly claiming that he had seen what happened as Mr Mitchell left Downing Street on September 19, 2012. The guilty plea has led to calls for the former international development secretary and chief whip's return to the Government.

19 September 2012 Getty Images Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell rows with police officers who would not let him cycle through Downing Street's main gate. He is told by officers to use the pedestrian side gate. The officer on duty claims in a police log that Mitchell had said to them: "Best you learn your f****** place... you're f****** plebs." 20 September 2012 The Sun The story is splashed across the Sun newspaper, reporting Mitchell swore at the officers, called them "plebs" and told them to know their place. It was the day after the killing of two policewomen in Manchester by one-eyed gangster Dale Cregan. 21-24 September 2012 PA Mitchell denies using the word "plebs" but admits swearing at the officers and apologises for being disrespectful. He says he wishes to draw a line under the incident. "I did not use the words attributed to me," he tells reporters. But he comes under pressure from fellow MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. 25 September 2012 The Telegraph A police log of the incident, is leaked to the Daily Telegraph. It appears to damn Mitchell.

October 7th 2012 PA Mitchell is still in post with the backing of Number 10, but police ramp up the campaign. Members of the Police Federation wear "PC Pleb" T-shirts at demonstrations against police funding cuts at the Conservative Party conference. Police officers also the launch of a poster campaign against police cuts, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, Mitchell's constituency. October 12th 2012 Getty Images Mitchell holds a private meeting at his constituency office with members of The Police Federation. Pressure on Mr Mitchell to step down continues. The police officers tell reporters afterwards that he has still not disclosed the precise words he used. Inspector Ken MacKaill, from West Mercia Police, said: "I think Mr Mitchell has no option but to resign. He is continuing to refuse to elaborate on what happened. I think his position is untenable." Mitchell recorded this meeting, but that was not known at the time. 17th October 2012 PA Labour party leader Ed Miliband calls Mitchell 'toast' during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. David Cameron says Mitchell was wrong, but backs him to stay in post.

19 October 2012 Mitchell resigns as Chief Whip, but remains a Conservative MP. 16 December 2012 Getty Images A diplomatic protection officer is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public ofice. He is suspended from duties in connection with account of the Downing Street incident. (file photo) 18 December 2012 CCTV footage is broadcast on Channel 4's Dispatches, which throws into doubt the police version of events. Mitchell says he has fallen victim to a "stitch-up". The police log said Mitchell's swearing had left members of the public looking "visibly shocked". No one but the police officers is nearby, according to the CCTV. 19 December 2012 PA Metropolitan Police Commissoner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe launches an investigation 'Operation Alice'. "The allegations in relation to this case are extremely serious. For the avoidance of doubt, I am determined there will be a ruthless search for the truth - no matter where the truth takes us," he says. Eight people are arrested over the coming months, five of them police officers.

15 October 2013 Getty Images Independent Police Complainst Commission deputy chair Deborah Glass releases a transcript of the meeting with Police Federation officers taken from Mitchell's phone. He said: "I did not say and I give you my word, I give you my word, I did not call an officer an f'ing pleb I did not say you are an f'ing moron and I did not say you should know your f*****g place. "I would never speak to anyone like that least of all a police officer and you have my word I never said those things." The IPCC criticises the Met's decision not to start misconduct proceedings. 16 October 2013 Getty Images It emerges that an internal police report which ultimately found no misconduct case to answer by the three officers who met Mitchell at his constituency office had initially proposed disciplinary action be taken against them for misleading statements. 21 October 2013 Getty Images Inspector Ken MacKaill, Sergeant Chris Jones and Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton, the officers involved in the disputed meeting with Mitchell apologise for their "poor judgement". They say they regret their words to the media and that they did not "plan or intend to mislead anyone about what occurred".

Mitchell's camp dismiss it as a "non-apology". 23 October 2013 PA The three officers tell the Home Affairs Select Committee that they do not wish to apologise to Mitchell and their account of the meeting was "accurate". 6 November 2013 PA Officers called back to Home Affairs Select Committee after Labour's Keith Vaz, says MPs were "appalled" by the officers' original evidence and that they must "correct the record". He threatens them with contempt of Parliament. Stuart Hinton apologises and says he regrets the "distress" felt by Mitchell. Chris Jones says he did not mislead the committee and has nothing to apologise for. IPCC had confirmed days earlier it was investigating the officers. 26 November 2013 Getty Images Police Constable Keith Wallis is charged with misconduct in a public office. He falsely claiming to have witnessed the incident in an email to his MP. Prosecutors say they do not have enough evidence to prove a Downing Street officer lied in his account of the incident. Five officers are to be investigated for misconduct by the IPCC. 10th January 2013 PA Pc Keith Wallis pleads guilty at the Old Bailey of committing misconduct in public office.

Mitchell says justice has been done. Nick Clegg defends Mitchell over 'pleb' row | Central - ITV News 16 October 2012 at 2:41pm Nick Clegg defends Mitchell over 'pleb' row Nick Clegg has become the latest Cabinet minister forced to defend Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell over his outburst at Downing Street police. Mr Mitchell has denied calling police officers "plebs" after they refused to let him cycle through the main gates at Downing Street on September 19th. The senior Tory has conceded that he swore and did not show enough respect, and has apologised to the police officer involved, who accepted his apology.

Mr Clegg said: "The Chief Whip has made it quite clear that he acknowledges what he did was wrong, he has apologised to the police officer in question, the police officer has accepted his apology." The Deputy Prime Minister, who joked that "I know a thing or two about apologies, musical or otherwise", added: "I hope we can move on from there." Last updated Sun 20 Jul 2014 Plebgate Was 'Stitch-Up' Of Andrew Mitchell, Says Police Whistleblower | The Huffington Post Plebgate Was 'Stitch-Up' Of Andrew Mitchell, Says Police Whistleblower 13/10/2013 09:14 | Updated 13 October 2013 250 The Huffington Post UK PA The Cabinet minister at the centre of the "Plebgate" row was "stitched up" by police, an alleged whistleblower has said. According to the Sunday Times, a senior officer described how evidence was doctored against Andrew Mitchell , the former chief whip who resigned from Cabinet over the accusation that he launched a foul-mouthed rant at officers guarding Downing Street as he asked to cycle through the main gates in September last year.

Pressure intensified after a police log of the incident was published in a national newspaper, which claimed Mitchell called officers ''plebs'' and swore at them repeatedly for making him walk through a side gate. He insisted he did not use the words attributed to him, and later said he was the victim of a deliberate attempt to ''toxify'' the Tories and ruin his career. In an article in the Sunday Times, the newspaper references an account of the alleged conspiracy against Mitchell. The whistleblower stated: "On the 18th September, 2012 Mitchell had also insisted on being let out through the main gate. Following this [officer X] said to the other officers: 'Right, we can stitch him up'." The whistleblower then went on to state that the word "plebs" was added by the named officer to the original police log of the conversation that Mitchell was said to have had with the officer who was guarding the gates on September 19, the newspaper added. Mitchell has always denied using this "toxic" phrase, adding that it was the claim that he had used this word that forced him to tender his resignation.

TOP NEWS STORIES TODAY Andrew Mitchell - Wikispooks Andrew Mitchell 4 September 2012 - 19 October 2012 Succeeded by George Young Andrew John Bower Mitchell is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sutton Coldfield since 2001, having previously been MP for Gedling from 1987 to 1997. He served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development from 2010 to 2012, and then briefly as Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons. Andrew Mitchell resigned after losing the confidence of many of his colleagues following an altercation with police officers at Downing Street, when he allegedly called them "f*****g plebs". [1] [2] On Tuesday 11 October 2016, Andrew Mitchell was granted an emergency 3-hour debate in the House of Commons to discuss the situation in Syria amid allegations by the Western-backed NGO White Helmets that Russian military jets and Syrian helicopters were bombarding civilians in eastern Aleppo.

Describing the alleged bombardment as "akin to the attack on Guernica during the Spanish civil war ", Mitchell advocated the imposition of a no-fly zone in Syria and suggested the RAF should be prepared to shoot down Russian and Syrian aircraft. He also called for more British funding for the rebel first responders White Helmets who, although recently given £32 million by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson , are crestfallen over not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on 7 October 2016. [3] Mitchell's call for shooting down Russian jets over Syria was “disgraceful” and would put the world “on the path to World War,” an agenda that is being actively followed by “ American Zionists ,” said Dr Rodney Shakespeare, a British academic and political analyst. [4] Contents 10 External links Background Andrew Mitchell was born at Hampstead in North London, the son of Sir David Mitchell, a former Conservative MP and junior Government Minister. He was educated at Rugby School , at which school the self-confessed "stern disciplinarian" earned the nickname "Thrasher".

[5] Career In February 1975, he was commissioned into the Royal Tank Regiment, serving in Cyprus during the 1970s. [6] [7] His commission was terminated in October 1975, when he transferred to the General List of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve and was given seniority in his rank from 10 March 1975. He then went to the University of Cambridge, where he read History at Jesus College. He was Chairman of the Cambridge University Conservative Association in the Michaelmas Term of 1977. He resigned his British Army commission on 9 February 1977 after serving in the Royal Tank Regiment for eight months on a Short Service Commission. [8] He served as President of the Cambridge Union 1978–79, [9] after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978, later proceeding to Master of Arts. Andrew Mitchell worked for Lazard , one of the world's largest investment banks, where he worked with British companies seeking large-scale overseas contracts.

[10] Political career Andrew Mitchell was the only Conservative member of Islington Health Authority (IHA) in North London during the 1980s, and in that capacity, he called for the IHA to make greater use of competitive tendering in the allocation of service contracts. [11] Mitchell entered Parliament in 1987 at the age of 31 as MP for Gedling, Nottinghamshire, serving in the House of Commons concurrently with his father. In 1988, under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , he became PPS to William Waldegrave, who was Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1990, he became PPS to John Wakeham, who was Secretary of State for Energy. In 1992, under John Major, he became Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party, and in the same year was appointed as an Assistant Government Whip. In 1993, he became a Government Whip. In 1995, he became Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security, a position he held until 1997.

Mitchell lost his Commons seat with Tony Blair 's Labour victory at the 1997 election. He was returned to Parliament at the 2001 election as the MP for Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. He held no shadow ministerial or organisational position under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith, but in November 2003, under new leader Michael Howard, he became Shadow Economic Affairs Minister. In 2004, he moved to Shadow Home Office Minister primarily dealing with police matters. Shadow International Development Secretary In May 2005, Mitchell was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. After Howard's decision to stand down as leader following the Conservatives' 2005 general election defeat, Mitchell ran the unsuccessful leadership campaign of David Davis, but retained his Shadow Cabinet position under the new Leader of HM Opposition, David Cameron . In that role, Mitchell visited countries throughout the developing world to establish in detail how aid could be most effectively and fairly delivered.

He visited a number of countries in Africa and Asia containing some of the worst poverty in the world, such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia, Chad, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Thailand, Cambodia and Burma (The Republic of the Union of Myanmar). In many of these places, he created video reports detailing local conditions and some of the NGO projects aimed at ameliorating them. Whilst in Burma, Mitchell challenged its Government by raising evidence of systematic human rights abuses in the country, and its continued imprisonment of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He also emphasised the need to provide rapid and substantial aid to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. [12] "Project Umubano" A former United Nations military peacekeeper, Andrew Mitchell has extensive pre-government experience of the developing world, and is the founder of Project Umubano, a Conservative Party social action project in Rwanda and Sierra Leone in Central and West Africa, launched in 2007.

[13] Mitchell led large groups of Conservative volunteers from a wide range of professions, including doctors, teachers, lawyers and entrepreneurs, in social development projects in Rwanda for three consecutive summers, from 2007 to 2009, as part of Project Umubano, [14] and kept a detailed diary of their activities and experiences. [15] [16] The volunteers focused on five areas: health, education, justice, the private sector, and a community centre construction project. [17] In 2008, Mitchell himself taught English to over a thousand Rwandan primary school teachers. [18] It was during one of these trips that Mitchell and his aides are reported to have verbally abused one of the volunteers, a student journalist who had circulated a draft newspaper article she had written criticising the way the project was organised.

The journalist, Lucy Kinder, claimed Mitchell texted her father, a friend from Mitchell's university days: "They [his aides] are threatening her with physical violence and I can't say I blame them." [19] BBC Gaza Appeal Mitchell expressed support for the idea of a televised appeal for Gaza on the BBC in 2009, a subject which had aroused much controversy on both sides of the argument. He said that, while the matter was ultimately for the BBC to decide, "We believe that they should allow the broadcast to proceed so that the British public, who have proved themselves so generous during recent emergencies in the Congo and Burma, can make their own judgement on the validity of the appeal". [20] International Development Secretary Following the 2010 general election and formation of the Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition in May 2010, Andrew Mitchell was appointed Secretary of State for International Development. Mitchell visited Pakistan during the floods in 2010 and returned the following year. He also visited Haiti, to see the effects of the earthquake, and Somalia and Libya in 2011.

He addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2010 to press the case for greater support for the developing world, strongly criticised the developed world for failing in its responsibilities towards it, and announced that Britain would double its aid contribution to Pakistan. [21] Both in Opposition and Government, Mitchell asserted the need for transparency and value for money in British aid contributions to the developing world, with resources concentrated on the world's poorest and most troubled countries. [22] Mitchell accepted that a smaller aid budget might have meant fewer cuts elsewhere, but insisted that development projects also helped protect Britain.

"Our security is not just provided by soldiers and tanks and fighter jets, it is also provided by training the police in Afghanistan, by building up governance structures in the Middle East and by getting girls into school in the Horn of Africa," he said, "Those things are all part of what makes us safer." [23] Praise in debate On 1 July 2010, at the end of a debate on global poverty in the House of Commons, [24] [25] the Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan , quoted the journalist Jon Snow as having said, "Andrew Mitchell is unquestionably the best prepared Secretary of State — nobody has waited longer in the wings and everyone in the sector knows of his commitment to the sector". Aid transparency Both in Opposition, and later as Secretary of State for International Development, Mitchell repeatedly asserted the need for transparency in aid donations to other countries, with contributions fully accounted for and published, and the intention for Britain to lead the world in this transparency.

[26] He made clear that value for money in aid donations was of critical importance and provided a guarantee that British legislation would be amended to ensure that Britain's aid contributions will be maintained at 0.7 per cent of UK GNI (Gross National Income) by 2013. [27] He also asked former international envoy and Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown to conduct a review of the UK's response to international humanitarian disasters, such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, to see whether lessons could be learned from them. [28] Alleged lobbying An article in The Sunday Times on 30 October 2010, quoted by The Guardian the following day, claimed that Mitchell had pressured the Foreign Office and colleagues to lobby Ghana (successfully) for the lifting of a trading ban on a cocoa company, Armajaro, which had been a repeated donor to Mitchell's parliamentary office and also a donor to the Conservative Party. Ghana had imposed the ban as the company was believed to have been smuggling cocoa out of the country.

However, when questioned by ITV News on 2 November 2010 about his role in the case, Mitchell said that he had a duty as a member of the government to respond to the company's requests, as it was registered as a British company, and that the government had a responsibility to promote British trade. He argued that he had seen no evidence that the Ghanaian government's suspicions about the company in question had been substantiated, and that the claim that he had acted improperly on behalf of a party donor was unreasonable, as the company had ceased to donate to both the Conservative Party and his parliamentary office several years earlier. [29] [30] Aid to Rwanda On his final day as International Development Secretary, Mitchell authorised the payment of £16 million of previously suspended aid to Rwanda, half of Britain's annual aid to Rwanda. The aid had been suspended in July, along with other governments' aid, over concerns about Rwanda's alleged support of the rebel March 23 Movement in 2012 East Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[31] [32] Mitchell's successor stopped further aid payments as Rwanda had breached agreements, [33] and following the publication of a United Nations Security Council investigators' report which provided evidence that Rwanda had supplied guns, money and recruits to the rebels contrary to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1807, [34] and engaged directly in combat to help the rebels capture territory. [35] The International Development Select Committee launched an inquiry into the suspending, then subsequent authorisation, of budget support to Rwanda. [36] On 30 November 2012 the committee published its report criticising Mitchell for restoring the funding, stating "We do not understand how [Mitchell] reached the conclusion that support for the M23 had ceased", which was one of the three conditions that the Prime Minister had set for the resumption of aid. [37] [38] Preparing for regime change in Libya " Gaddafi was an absolute f*****g tyrant" During the NATO bombing of Libya in 2011, Mitchell said that the UK had learned from Iraq and had laid the groundwork for a post- Gaddafi Libya.

While emphasising that the transition should be Libyan-led, he said that Libya's allies had outlined steps to ensure a smooth transition. He added, "We have made clear that there should be no revenge attacks," and, "Libyans have to work together for a new Libya. They should keep in place the sinews of security. The National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi has good informal connections with security officials in Tripoli and has told them: 'You've got a job, please help us keep stability'." He added that "Divisions between the rebels groups are overstated. The way the National Transitional Council has reached out gives us some confidence." [39] In September 2013, the Daily Telegraph reported in an article entitled "Secret MI6 plot to help Colonel Gaddafi escape Libya revealed" that Andrew Mitchell, then International Development Secretary, was dispatched in mid-2011 to build covert contacts with the controversial regime in Equatorial Guinea .

The Cabinet Office and MI6 had "prepared an exit strategy for Gaddafi in case it was necessary to strike a deal and to end the conflict," and Equatorial Guinea, "oil-rich but awesomely corrupt", was selected for Colonel Gaddafi "as a prospective retirement home." Although Britain had no bilateral links with Equatorial Guinea, contributing only small amounts in aid, Mr Mitchell "was able to assist the officials tasked with these delicate contingency plans, helping make the necessary contacts in the capital, Malabo, and elsewhere." "Plebgate" In September 2012, Mitchell was appointed Government Chief Whip in David Cameron 's first significant Cabinet reshuffle. On the evening of 19 September 2012 Mitchell, who was cycling, swore when a police officer told him to exit Downing Street through the pedestrian gate rather than by the main gate. The leaked official police log of the incident stated that Mitchell said "Best you learn your fucking place. You don't run this fucking government.... You're fucking plebs." [40] The allegations became known in the media as "Plebgate".

[41] In response to the allegations, Mitchell apologised, but disputed many of the details of the accusations, in particular that he had used the word "pleb". He later resigned. On 26 November 2013, Andrew Mitchell accused the police officer at the centre of the "Plebgate" row of "not telling the truth", at a press conference. The Crown Prosecution Service has charged one officer, PC Keith Wallis, over the allegation that he falsely claiming to have witnessed the incident in an email to his MP. But PC Toby Rowland, the officer who reported the incident, is not one of the five facing disciplinary action. The CPS has suggested that Mr Mitchell's account of events had "varied" over time but he insisted he had been "completely clear" from the start about what he had and had not said.

Andrew Mitchell suggested the officer had "invented the three lying phrases - about plebs and people knowing their place - which appeared in the police log and were used to destroy my political career." And he added: "I wish to make clear that PC Toby Rowland, who was responsible for writing those toxic phrases into his notebook, was not telling the truth." But, in a statement, PC Rowland said he stood by his account of what happened in Downing Street: "This has now been thoroughly investigated and the CPS has confirmed there is insufficient evidence to take any criminal proceedings against me," he said. "In addition, neither am I subject to any disciplinary proceedings. I confirm that I am prepared to give evidence under oath if required." [42] Contradictory evidence In December 2012, CCTV evidence was published in the media which appeared to contradict the police's account, along with evidence that an email corroborating the police account and purporting to be sent by a member of the public to their MP was actually sent by an off-duty police officer who was not at the scene.

Additionally, a claim by Police Federation officers from the West Midlands Police who met Mitchell that he refused to give his side of events was contradicted by Mitchell's own audio recording of the meeting. [43] "Operation Alice" The Metropolitan Police Service investigation of both the leak of the police log and the discrepancies between it and other accounts is known as "Operation Alice". It was revealed in April 2013 that "Operation Alice" had to date cost £144,000. [44] Andrew Mitchell has condemned the police and accused them of a "cynical smear campaign" in an article in the Sunday Times. [45] MPs "grandstanding" Early in November 2013, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Blair, accused MPs of "grandstanding" in their treatment of junior police officers over the "Plebgate" affair. Lord Blair said: "There is still no answer as to who said what to whom at the gate outside the centre of British government. There is something unhealthy going on here: a display of outrage on behalf of a fellow MP that has not always been seen in relation to other scandals affecting ordinary citizens.

When this is accompanied by a chorus of political voices clearly assuming that Mr Mitchell was disgracefully 'stitched up' when this has not yet been proven, then an impression of politicians being overprecipitate judges in their own cause could be the unsettling result." [46] Alison Saunders The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is considering separately whether to charge five officers from the Met's diplomatic protection unit - including one of those on duty when the altercation occurred - and three civilians over allegations that they leaked information and committed misconduct offences. A decision by the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Alison Saunders, is expected soon.

Conservative MP, Dominic Grieve, the attorney general, welcomed the new DPP's appointment saying: "I am particularly pleased that Alison is the first head of the CPS to be appointed from within its ranks as proof of the high quality of the professionals that work within the service." Alison Saunders described the low point in her career as "making the wrong decision in not proceeding against a police officer over an alleged racist incident, a decision she subsequently reversed." [47] In November 2013, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS had considered "all of the evidence" in the Andrew Mitchell case, including previously unseen, unedited CCTV footage from Downing Street, before deciding not to bring charges against PC Rowland. "Taking it all into account, including the accounts of the officer at the gate of Downing Street and that of Andrew Mitchell MP before, during and after the incident, we have found that there is insufficient evidence to show that the officer at the gate lied in his account," she said.

"The CPS has also found that there is insufficient evidence to show that Mr Mitchell was the victim of a conspiracy of misinformation." But the CPS said it had decided to charge PC Wallis over the allegation he falsely claimed to have witnessed the incident in an email to deputy chief whip, John Randall, who was his MP. PC Wallis has been charged and is required to attend Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 December. [48] Legal bill In January 2015, the BBC reported that Andrew Mitchell had paid £300,000 in legal costs after losing his libel case in the "Plebgate" affair. This followed the ruling by a High Court Judge in December 2014 that Mitchell must pay the Police Federation and News Group Newspapers - publishers of the Sun - an interim payment of £150,000 each. The Judge had concluded Andrew Mitchell had probably called police "plebs" in 2012. [49] Personal life Mitchell is married to Dr Sharon Bennett, a GP, and has two children. [50] He lives in his constituency of Sutton Coldfield and in Islington, London. His wealth is estimated at £2 million.

[51] [52] He is a Trustee of the E.M. Radiation Research Trust, [53] which conducts research into radiation emissions, from sites such as mobile phone masts. He was also a Senior Strategy Adviser for Accenture, the management consultancy and technology outsourcing company. He is also Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners. References Police Federation criticises Met over officer arrest in Andrew Mitchell row | UK news | The Guardian Metropolitan police Police Federation criticises Met over officer arrest in Andrew Mitchell row Constable from specialist unit held after force received information on alleged leak over 'plebs' row at Downing Street Monday 17 December 2012 05.14 EST First published on Monday 17 December 2012 05.14 EST Close This article is 4 years old The Police Federation has expressed "great regret" after Scotland Yard arrested an officer from the diplomatic protection group, SO6, over the alleged leaking of information to the press about an incident at Downing Street in which Andrew Mitchell, the then chief whip, is said to have called officers "plebs".

News of the arrest came as Mitchell said the contents of the alleged police logbook, recording the incident, were false. The constable from the specialist Metropolitan police unit, which guards embassies as well as members of the government, was bailed on Sunday after his arrest the day before, and has been suspended from duty. The Met said in a statement on Sunday night that its directorate of professional standards arrested the officer on suspicion of misconduct in a public office after the force received fresh information on Thursday regarding the alleged unauthorised disclosure of information. Scotland Yard sources indicated on Monday there was no suggestion any payment had been involved in the alleged disclosure of information. But the Met refused to comment on where the fresh information that led to the officer's arrest on Saturday night had come from. The chairman of the Met Police Federation said it was of great regret that Scotland Yard had taken action against an officer over "plebgate". John Tully said the federation would support members through any difficulties they faced. "Clearly it is of great regret that the MPS has found it necessary to take this action – I trust justice will ultimately prevail," he said.

The row in September developed after police at Downing Street refused to open the main gates to allow Mitchell to take his bicycle through, instead forcing him to use the side gate. Allegations of the words used in the exchange that followed led to the Tory MP resigning as chief whip in October after an unsuccessful month-long fight to fend off the claims and save his career. The exact words used by the politician on the night have been disputed ever since. Mitchell maintained he "did not use the words attributed to me" and denied using the word pleb, although he has admitted to saying: "I thought you guys were supposed to fucking help us." It has been argued since then that he should have been arrested for abusing a police officer – a public order offence. On Monday Mitchell told ITV News: "I'd just like to reiterate once again that it's the contents of the alleged police log which are false … they are false and I want to make that very clear." Weeks before Mitchell's resignation the Met launched an investigation into how the Sun obtained an internal report suggesting Mitchell did call the officers plebs.

The tabloid, which broke the original story about the incident, said it had seen a police report of the incident, prepared for senior officers, which indicated that Mitchell also swore repeatedly at officers. The arrest is the latest in a crackdown by the Met on relationships between the police and the press as a result of the Leveson inquiry. Media guidelines say any officer suspected of leaking information should be subjected to disciplinary and/or criminal investigation. The Met – and the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) – have welcomed the Leveson report, which recommends police whistleblowers who are acting in the public interest should not go to the media but instead report their concerns internally, to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary or to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Andy Trotter, an Acpo spokesman on media relations, has said that most whistleblowers are gossips interested in embarrassing others in their organisation . Earlier this month the Guardian reported how another constable – James Patrick – was being investigated for gross misconduct for a series of blogs and tweets – which he turned into a book detailing his belief that reform of the police service is putting the public at risk.

Patrick's lawyer, Karen Todner, said he was a whistleblower and the issue was one of freedom of expression. "This is someone who has tried to raise his concerns through the legitimate channels but was not able to do so," said Todner. In its statement regarding the arrest the Met said it had contacted the IPCC on Sunday and would formally refer the matter to the body on Monday. "The arrest is linked to previous inquiries by the MPS as to how internal MPS information was obtained by national newspapers following an incident at Downing Street in September," it added. "These inquiries found no evidence to suggest any of the officers involved in the incident were involved in the unauthorised release of information." At a regular Westminster briefing the prime minister's spokesman said: "At the time we said there was a genuine difference of opinion. "Clearly this is something the police are dealing with and I don't think I want to get drawn into further comment." Asked if the prime minister was concerned about the arrest of the whistleblower, the spokesman added: "That arrest is a matter for the Metropolitan police." Asked whether the arrest was a proportionate response, the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said it would be "so wrong" for politicians to "start jumping in and providing a running commentary".

"It's not for politicians to do at all," he said during questions following a speech. "Obviously this is a controversial issue but I really think it should be left for the police and the prosecuting authorities to make up their own minds." The former Tory minister David Mellor said it was good news that the police finally seemed to be taking leaks to the media seriously. "What happened in the Mitchell case was a serious breach of duty with not only the full details of police reports being leaked, but the actual documents being handed over to newspapers," he said. "This was disgraceful. The question has to be asked, what took them so long?" Mellor said he would be watching with interest to see whether the arrest would be taken further, and whether it would change "deeply ingrained" behaviour among the police. • This article was amended on 23 December 2012 to clarify a reference to remarks made by Andy Trotter in a previous Guardian article.

Cameron allowed him to resign even after No 10 officials noted that CCTV footage raised concerns over accounts of incident Published: 21 Dec 2012 David Cameron says treatment of Andrew Mitchell, who resigned as Tory chief whip in October, was disturbing Published: 20 Dec 2012 Man, who is not a police officer, arrested 'on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting' in indictable offence Published: 20 Dec 2012 Friends of former chief whip Andrew Mitchell cast doubts on police version of Downing Street confrontation Published: 19 Dec 2012 What next for Andrew Mitchell after 'plebgate' inquiry? - BBC News BBC News What next for Andrew Mitchell after 'plebgate' inquiry? By Iain Watson Political correspondent, BBC News 27 November 2013 Close share panel Image caption Allies of the former minister say he should return to the government When Andrew Mitchell left Downing Street, by a side gate, in September last year, he didn't realise he was embarking on a journey to the backbenches. The way in which the then chief whip expressed his disappointment at not being permitted to leave by the main gate has proved hugely controversial.

Once a police account of the incident was leaked, Andrew Mitchell maintained that he swore in front of police officers - for which he has subsequently apologised. But he has always denied swearing at and calling the officer - and his colleagues - "plebs", a politically toxic, career-finishing phrase. And when CCTV footage from Downing Street was aired on Channel 4 last December, his supporters said this proved there had been no time for the then cabinet minister to have launched a tirade against the police before wheeling his bike into the street. The subsequent police investigation - Operation Alice - had entered a looking glass world, according to Mr Mitchell's allies. It should have been a short, sharp inquiry but it waded through 1,100 statements and after a year, friends of Mr Mitchell from across the political spectrum called for it to be brought to a swift conclusion. Calls went up, too, for Andrew Mitchell's return to the cabinet. But Tuesday's events may have made this less likely. While Mr Mitchell's family say he has suffered a "character assassination", the Crown Prosecution Service's conclusions still leave him a little politically wounded.

'Insufficient evidence' Their statement suggests that the Downing Street CCTV footage had been edited and didn't show 'the full picture'. Channel 4 are challenging the CPS to prove this. The CPS maintain that Andrew Mitchell could have had time to utter the offensive phrase, and that there is "insufficient evidence" to prove that the officer on the Downing Street gate lied. The story so far... 19 September 2012 Andrew Mitchell has a row with police officers who would not let him cycle through Downing Street's main gate 20 September 2012 The Sun newspaper says Mr Mitchell swore at the officers and called them "plebs" who should learn their place 21 September 2012 Mr Mitchell denies using the word "plebs" but apologises for being disrespectful 19 October 2012 Mr Mitchell resigns as chief whip after weeks of damaging publicity 18 December 2012 CCTV footage, broadcast on Channel 4 news, casts doubt on the police officers' version of events, as reported by The Sun and the Daily Telegraph 19 December 2012 Scotland Yard launches an investigation into claims an officer gave false evidence.

In the ensuing months eight people are arrested and bailed under the investigation into "Plebgate" 26 November 2013 A police officer is charged with misconduct in public office and five others face disciplinary action - but no criminal charges are brought against the officers in Downing Street on the night of the incident That officer - PC Toby Rowland - will not be charged with misconduct, and is not facing any disciplinary action. Furthermore there is a suggestion in the CPS statement that Andrew Mitchell may have behaved improperly by even requesting that the main Downing Street gate be opened for him. In their statement, the CPS say: "A legal order made in 2008 because of the fear of terrorist attack means that no-one may use (Downing) street unless they are authorised or directed by a police officer. Officers were instructed only to open the main gates for motor vehicles and there was a publicised policy to that effect." And they conclude that there was insufficient evidence that there was a conspiracy against the former chief whip. But what might make it trickier for him to resurrect his political career quickly is his reaction to the CPS's findings at a press conference on Tuesday.

He could have, once again, maintained that he did not use the term 'pleb', pointed out that a total of seven police officers were facing disciplinary action of one kind or another, and suggested that voters make up their own mind as to who was telling the truth. 'Raised the stakes' But he raised the stakes by accusing PC Rowland of lying. He suggested there had indeed been a wider conspiracy by some in the Police Federation to "toxify" the Conservative Party for political ends. And he drew attention to his libel action against the Sun - the paper which broke the 'plebgate' row. He said that he would give evidence on oath and challenged police officers to do the same. So if David Cameron were to return him to high office, then he could be seen to be putting two fingers up to the long arm of the law. That is something governments are wary of doing. But his close ally, the former shadow home secretary David Davis, takes a different view. He points out that Andrew Mitchell was never sacked by David Cameron - he resigned voluntarily when it was clear the clamour over the case would make it difficult for him to carry out his job.

The prime minister had never assumed guilt, and had accepted Mr Mitchell's account of the incident. Indeed, David Cameron had written to him on his departure to say: "I hope that, in time, you will be able to make a further contribution to public life." While only one police officer is facing prosecution - Keith Wallis, who is alleged to have falsely claimed to have witnessed the incident - the fact that others are facing internal disciplinary charges demonstrates, says Mr Davis, that "something was clearly going on". Career prospects He is determined not to let the matter rest and believes it would be an "important signal" for the prime minister to return Andrew Mitchell to high office. And Mr Mitchell himself has said he has an "understanding" with the prime minister about his future. With no reshuffle in the offing, the prime minister will have time to take the temperature again at Westminster, when the current furore subsides, before deciding on Mr Mitchell's career prospects. A well-placed Conservative source suggested the mood on the backbenches would require the PM to "do something at some point".

The sources said a cabinet position would be inflammatory, an EU commissioner role would be unlikely, so possibly a ministerial role outside cabinet would be acceptable to both sides - or perhaps some role as an envoy - there would have to be a recognition that the former chief whip would not be left entirely out in the cold. But one thing has been achieved by the year-long row. There is now sufficient doubt about the language Andrew Mitchell used that it has become difficult for his political opponents to assert that "Tory toffs" look down their noses at the police officers who are paid to protect them. Claims Mitchell was 'stitched up' | UK | News | Daily Express UK Claims Mitchell was 'stitched up' The Cabinet minister at the centre of the "Plebgate" row was "stitched up" by police, an alleged whistleblower has said.

06:13, Sun, Oct 13, 2013 Andrew Mitchell insisted he did not use the words attributed to him [PA] According to the Sunday Times, a senior officer described how evidence was doctored against Andrew Mitchell, the former chief whip who resigned from Cabinet over the accusation that he launched a foul-mouthed rant at officers guarding Downing Street as he asked to cycle through the main gates in September last year. Pressure intensified after a police log of the incident was published in a national newspaper, which claimed Mr Mitchell called officers ''plebs'' and swore at them repeatedly for making him walk through a side gate. He insisted he did not use the words attributed to him, and later said he was the victim of a deliberate attempt to ''toxify'' the Tories and ruin his career. In an article in the Sunday Times, the newspaper references an account of the alleged conspiracy against Mr Mitchell. The whistleblower stated: "On the 18th September, 2012 Mr Mitchell had also insisted on being let out through the main gate.

Following this [officer X] said to the other officers: 'Right, we can stitch him up'." The whistleblower then went on to state that the word "plebs" was added by the named officer to the original police log of the conversation that Mr Mitchell was said to have had with the officer who was guarding the gates on September 19, the newspaper added. Mr Mitchell has always denied using this "toxic" phrase, adding that it was the claim that he had used this word that forced him to tender his resignation. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation involving the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. "Many lines of inquiry have been investigated and the final file is now with the Crown Prosecution Service who are considering all the evidence." The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the police file had been received by the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday. "We will come to a decision as quickly as we can, given the nature of the exercise. We have got what we want, we are hard at it and we will come to a decision as swiftly we can," he told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.

"The most important thing now is that the prosecution reach a proper decision on the facts of the case." Whip quit hooray – The Sun FOUL-mouthed pleb row minister Andrew Mitchell finally resigned last night — pushed out by his own Tory colleagues. The embattled Chief Whip fell on his sword four weeks to the day since The Sun first broke the story about his rant at Downing Street gun cops. The 56-year-old senior minister only went after his own whips and former helpers told him his time was up. Mr Mitchell’s resignation came after a four-day drubbing from MPs on all sides in the Commons following the return to Westminster. Despite drawing an end to his Government career, the Tory MP was last night STILL denying an official report by police officers that he called them “f***ing plebs”. But he DID finally admit in public that he swore at a male and a female cop when they refused to let him cycle through the famous street’s main gates. Mr Mitchell drove to Chequers yesterday afternoon to resign face-to-face in front of the PM, who had only just got back from an EU summit in Brussels.

After weeks of fruitlessly defending his party discipline boss David Cameron last night said his going “had become necessary” but with regret. In his official resignation letter to Mr Cameron, Mr Mitchell wrote: “Over the last two days it has become clear to me that whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter I will not be able to fulfil my duties as we would both wish. “Nor is it fair to continue to put my family and colleagues through this upsetting and damaging publicity.” But he went on: “I have made clear to you — and I give you my categorical assurance again — that I did not, never have and never would call a police officer a ‘pleb’ or a ‘moron’ or used any of the other pejorative descriptions attributed to me. “The offending comment and the reason for my apology to the police was my parting remark ‘I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us’. It was obviously wrong of me to use such bad language and I am very sorry about it and grateful to the police officer for accepting my apology.” Mr Mitchell called No10 on Thursday night to arrange the meeting with the PM, having come to the conclusion that day he had lost the crucial respect of Tory MPs.

Though still backed by some from older generations, Mr Mitchell was also told he had lost support from many of the 2010 intake of Tory MPs — who make up half the Parliamentary Party. Senior Tory backbencher and former whip Michael Fabricant privately told Mr Mitchell he was finished. Mr Fabricant said last night: “I spoke to Andrew yesterday about this and I was frank. This has been playing out like a long Greek tragedy.” It was also rumoured that Mr Mitchell’s deputy Chief Whip, John Randall, had threatened to quit on Wednesday night. And Mr Mitchell was said to have lost the support of all but two of his team of Tory whips in the Commons. Last night one of Mr Mitchell’s pals said: “Andrew took stock of his position from Wednesday onwards after PM’s Questions. He concluded it would be impossible to carry on.” Mr Cameron was told of Mr Mitchell’s call asking for a meeting during talks at the EU summit. The two men met at Chequers yesterday afternoon after the PM flew back from Brussels at lunchtime. Party insiders said Mr Mitchell was shaken by the almost complete lack of support he had among the newest Tory MPs. Friends said he was expected to spend the weekend with his family.

One pal said: “It wasn’t until Parliament came back that Andrew was able to gauge the mood of the Party. It was only in the last couple of days that he realised the game was up.” Mr Mitchell only served as Chief Whip for 45 days, having been appointed in Mr Cameron’s major reshuffle at the start of September. Tory grandee Sir George Young was last night called back into the Cabinet to be Mr Cameron’s new Chief Whip. Ironically, the 71-year-old Etonian baronet has been a keen cyclist for years. Tory MP Andrew Percy, who spoke out against Mr Mitchell at this week’s meeting of the backbench 1922 Committee, said: “Ultimately he has made the best decision in the interests of the Party and I’m pleased he has seen sense after the pressure he came under this week. Hopefully this draws a line under the issue.” Labour launched a full frontal attack on Mr Cameron last night for handling the saga terribly. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This is a sensible decision by Andrew Mitchell. It is very unfortunate that David Cameron allowed this to drag on so long.

“Letting it carry on sent a very bad signal to police and public servants about the Government’s attitude.” Cop bosses also welcomed Mr Mitchell’s departure last night, having campaigned for him to go for weeks. Police Federation Chairman Paul McKeever said: “It is not good to see anyone fall from public office but the decision by the Prime Minister to accept Andrew Mitchell’s resignation seemed almost inevitable.” By TOM NEWTON DUNN, Political Editor AS Fridays go, there has never been a worse one for David Cameron’s pitiful Government than yesterday. Shambles followed embarrassment so quickly that it was hard for us Westminster watchers to keep up. What of Andrew Mitchell now? He was a talented minister, so there may be a way back for him one day. But while supporters predictably blame the media and cop groups, his demise was nothing more than a tragic, self-inflicted wound. The initial rant was bad enough — but he turned it into a duel of integrity with armed police. That was a shootout he was always going to lose. New man ad a link to Savile NEW Chief Whip Sir George Young appeared in a poster campaign with Jimmy Savile, it emerged last night.

Sir George was pictured in the saddle with two children in tow for 1982’s Ride it by Rail — after he won a campaign for bikes to be allowed on trains. But Savile also gave a thumbs up on the posters, used at rail stations. The ad emerged after Sir George, 71 and an MP since 1974, replaced fellow cyclist Andrew Mitchell as Chief Whip. And Mr Mitchell’s successor is no pleb — the former Eton boy once quipped about the homeless: “Aren’t they the people you step over while you are leaving the opera?”

Question: Who was the Government Chief Whip who resigned in October 2012, following accusation that he swore at police officers and called them 'plebs'?
Answer: ANDREW MITCHELL