This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19671093
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chief whip Andrew Mitchell apologises to police | Chief whip Andrew Mitchell apologises to police |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell has apologised for disrespectful remarks to police who made him get off his bicycle as he left Downing Street. | Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell has apologised for disrespectful remarks to police who made him get off his bicycle as he left Downing Street. |
| "I accept I did not treat the police with the respect they deserve," the Conservative MP said, but he denied using swear words quoted in the Sun. | |
| The prime minister was "aware there was an incident" on Wednesday and welcomed the apology, a No 10 spokesperson said. | The prime minister was "aware there was an incident" on Wednesday and welcomed the apology, a No 10 spokesperson said. |
| The Metropolitan Police said it had not made a complaint. | |
| The MP for Sutton Coldfield said in a statement: "On Wednesday night I attempted to leave Downing Street via the main gate, something I have been allowed to do many times before. I was told that I was not allowed to leave that way. | |
| "While I do not accept that I used any of the words that have been reported, I accept I did not treat the police with the respect they deserve. | "While I do not accept that I used any of the words that have been reported, I accept I did not treat the police with the respect they deserve. |
| "I have seen the supervising sergeant and apologised, and will also apologise to the police officer involved." | "I have seen the supervising sergeant and apologised, and will also apologise to the police officer involved." |
| The Downing Street spokesperson said: "The prime minister is aware there was an incident. He is glad that Andrew Mitchell has apologised. | The Downing Street spokesperson said: "The prime minister is aware there was an incident. He is glad that Andrew Mitchell has apologised. |
| "He thinks the police should always be treated with the respect they deserve." | "He thinks the police should always be treated with the respect they deserve." |
| Mr Mitchell, a former soldier, was moved from the position of international development secretary in David Cameron's first major reshuffle earlier this month. | Mr Mitchell, a former soldier, was moved from the position of international development secretary in David Cameron's first major reshuffle earlier this month. |
| Now government chief whip, his main responsibility is to get Conservative MPs to vote in favour of coalition legislation. | Now government chief whip, his main responsibility is to get Conservative MPs to vote in favour of coalition legislation. |