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Judge rules UK MP called police officers 'plebs'

A High Court judge has said he is satisfied former UK Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell calle...
Newstalk
Newstalk

20.44 27 Nov 2014


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Judge rules UK MP called polic...

Judge rules UK MP called police officers 'plebs'

Newstalk
Newstalk

20.44 27 Nov 2014


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A High Court judge has said he is satisfied former UK Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell called police officers "plebs".

Mr Justice Mitting said he believed that the Tory MP had lost his temper during an altercation at the main gates of Downing Street in September 2012.

He said he had reached the "firm conclusion" the MP had used the "politically toxic" word during an exchange with PC Toby Roland.

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Mr Mitchell, who has been ordered to pay interim costs of £300,000, said he was "bitterly disappointed" to lose the case and said it had been a "miserable two years".

Court sources have told the Press Association the overall costs of Mr Mitchell's claim could be as high as £3m.

The judge said events on that day "do not reflect well on Mr Mitchell", and found his account to be "inconsistent".

Mr Mitchell, who resigned over the row, sued News Group Newspapers (NGN) over a story in The Sun, which first published the remarks. PC Rowland, in turn took action against Mr Mitchell for accusing him of giving a dishonest account.

Both actions were considered during the trial.

PC Rowland said that when he told Mr Mitchell he could not use the main gate, Mr Mitchell became furious saying: "Best you learn your ****ing place ... You don't run this ****ing government.. You're ****ing plebs."

Mr Mitchell denied this, instead maintaining he muttered audibly under his breath: "I thought you lot were supposed to ****ing help us."

He insisted this was not directed at the officer.

But the judge said PC Rowland was "not the sort of man who would have had the wit, imagination or inclination to invent on the spur of the moment an account of what a senior politician had said to him in temper".

And he said inconsistencies in the officer's account did not demonstrate that it was fabricated.

Mr Justice Mitting said: "For the reasons given I am satisfied at least on the balance of probabilities that Mr Mitchell did speak the words alleged or something so close to them as to amount to the same including the politically toxic word pleb."

He rejected the allegation there was collusion by the officers on the gate.

Speaking afterwards, PC Rowland said he was simply doing his job "without fear or favour" and said he now hoped a "line can be drawn and everyone left in peace".

The Sun's managing editor, Sitg Abell, said it was "vindication for The Sun and its journalism".

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said PC Rowland's "name has been cleared and his integrity restored".

The judge said Mr Mitchell needed to now meet with his advisers to think about the consequences of the judgement.

Mr Mitchell now has 14 days to tender an undertaking not to repeat the allegation PC Rowland had fabricated his claims and for both sides to talk and agree, if possible, an order for what happens to the two actions now.


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