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Andrew Mitchell row: Chief whip must explain - Clegg | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell should give a full account of his row with police at the gates of Downing Street, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said. | |
It comes after the Sun said an official police report stated he did use the term "plebs" in an argument with a police officer. | |
He has denied using the word, but Mr Clegg said Mr Mitchell needed to give an explanation of the incident. | |
Mr Mitchell is due to give a statement at Downing Street shortly. | |
Mr Clegg said: "I don't know what happened, I don't think anybody knows precisely what happened and there are rival versions being circulated in the press." | |
"I think, therefore, it's really important that Andrew Mitchell explains fully and in detail his version of events." | |
Bicycle argument | |
The Sun claimed the police report also said Mr Mitchell did swear during the row. | |
The Tory chief whip has apologised to police after being prevented from cycling through the main gate last week, but denies using the word "pleb". | The Tory chief whip has apologised to police after being prevented from cycling through the main gate last week, but denies using the word "pleb". |
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker says Mr Mitchell still denies using the words attributed to him. | |
Friends of Mr Mitchell say the Sun is repeating accusations that had previously been made against him and his denial remains in force, our correspondent says. | Friends of Mr Mitchell say the Sun is repeating accusations that had previously been made against him and his denial remains in force, our correspondent says. |
The row broke out on Wednesday after Mr Mitchell was told by officers to get off his bicycle as he left Downing Street and go through the smaller pedestrian gate. | The row broke out on Wednesday after Mr Mitchell was told by officers to get off his bicycle as he left Downing Street and go through the smaller pedestrian gate. |
Soon afterwards, the MP for Sutton Coldfield said he did not accept "that I used any of the words that have been reported" - but did not go into specific details. | Soon afterwards, the MP for Sutton Coldfield said he did not accept "that I used any of the words that have been reported" - but did not go into specific details. |
He said his apology was for failing to show officers sufficient respect. | He said his apology was for failing to show officers sufficient respect. |
A friend of Mr Mitchell, quoted by the Sunday Telegraph, has said the minister was frustrated by the row, and admits he "lost it a bit" but was "not accusing anyone of lying". | A friend of Mr Mitchell, quoted by the Sunday Telegraph, has said the minister was frustrated by the row, and admits he "lost it a bit" but was "not accusing anyone of lying". |
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