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Chief whip Andrew Mitchell apologises to police Chief whip Andrew Mitchell apologises to police
(about 3 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. "I accept I did not treat the police with the respect they deserve," he said. The Conservative MP denied claims in the Sun that he had sworn and called the officers "plebs".
The prime minister was "aware there was an incident" on Wednesday and welcomed the apology, a No 10 spokesperson said. A No 10 spokesperson said the prime minister welcomed news of the apology.
The Metropolitan Police said it had not made a complaint against Mr Mitchell.The Metropolitan Police said it had not made a complaint against Mr Mitchell.
The outburst came after armed police turned him away from the main Downing Street gate, instead directing him to the smaller pedestrian gate. His outburst came after armed police turned Mr Mitchell away from the main Downing Street gate, instead directing him to the smaller pedestrian gate.
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.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.