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Andrew Mitchell timeline: how the police 'plebs' row unfolded Andrew Mitchell timeline: how the police 'plebs' row unfolded
(about 3 hours later)
The row over what Andrew Mitchell did or did not say to police at the gates of Downing Street has only been rumbling for four days, but the various versions of events have shifted several times: The row over what Andrew Mitchell did or did not say to police at the gates of Downing Street has only been rumbling for four days, but the various versions of events have shifted several times:
Friday 21 SeptemberFriday 21 September
It begins with a Sun story alleging that last Wednesday night the Tory chief whip ranted at police who would not open the main Downing Street gates so he could cycle through, obliging him to dismount and use a side gate. As well as swearing at the officers, Mitchell supposedly called them "plebs" who should know their place.It begins with a Sun story alleging that last Wednesday night the Tory chief whip ranted at police who would not open the main Downing Street gates so he could cycle through, obliging him to dismount and use a side gate. As well as swearing at the officers, Mitchell supposedly called them "plebs" who should know their place.
Mitchell apologises but insists he did not use "any of the words" alleged in the Sun. He says: "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. I have seen the supervising sergeant and apologised, and will also apologise to the police officer involved."Mitchell apologises but insists he did not use "any of the words" alleged in the Sun. He says: "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. I have seen the supervising sergeant and apologised, and will also apologise to the police officer involved."
With the Police Federation calling for Mitchell to lose his job David Cameron says his chief whip was "wrong". The Labour party says the government must explain the matter fully, in particular whether Mitchell was, in effect, accusing police of lying.With the Police Federation calling for Mitchell to lose his job David Cameron says his chief whip was "wrong". The Labour party says the government must explain the matter fully, in particular whether Mitchell was, in effect, accusing police of lying.
Further words of explanation come from unnamed "friends" of Mitchell in briefings to newspapers. One tells the Times: "He does accept he used language that he immediately regretted. He doesn't want to contest the version of events given by the police – in the heat of the moment, people remember different things. But those words are just not something he would say."Further words of explanation come from unnamed "friends" of Mitchell in briefings to newspapers. One tells the Times: "He does accept he used language that he immediately regretted. He doesn't want to contest the version of events given by the police – in the heat of the moment, people remember different things. But those words are just not something he would say."
Saturday 22 SeptemberSaturday 22 September
The Sun reports that one of the police officers allegedly sworn at was a woman. This is particularly sensitive given that two women PCs had been shot dead in Manchester earlier in the week.The Sun reports that one of the police officers allegedly sworn at was a woman. This is particularly sensitive given that two women PCs had been shot dead in Manchester earlier in the week.
The president of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, tells the BBC that Mitchell's reported words are "absolutely appalling" and "beyond unacceptable".The president of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, tells the BBC that Mitchell's reported words are "absolutely appalling" and "beyond unacceptable".
Sunday 23 SeptemberSunday 23 September
More anonymous "friends" brief newspapers and the BBC, confirming for the first time that Mitchell swore but insisting this was purely in frustration and not directly at police, and that he did not use the word "pleb". The Sunday Telegraph recounts a version in which Mitchell asked police to open the Downing Street main gate, saying: "Look, I'm the chief whip; I work at No 9 [Downing Street]." On being refused, he "muttered": "You guys are supposed to fucking help us." The friend of Mitchell says: "He does not dispute he lost it a bit. It was in frustration at the episode and not aimed directly at the officers … He is absolutely not accusing anyone of lying. He realises there may be differing versions of what was said but he is adamant he did not use the words he is reported to have used."More anonymous "friends" brief newspapers and the BBC, confirming for the first time that Mitchell swore but insisting this was purely in frustration and not directly at police, and that he did not use the word "pleb". The Sunday Telegraph recounts a version in which Mitchell asked police to open the Downing Street main gate, saying: "Look, I'm the chief whip; I work at No 9 [Downing Street]." On being refused, he "muttered": "You guys are supposed to fucking help us." The friend of Mitchell says: "He does not dispute he lost it a bit. It was in frustration at the episode and not aimed directly at the officers … He is absolutely not accusing anyone of lying. He realises there may be differing versions of what was said but he is adamant he did not use the words he is reported to have used."
Labour makes its position more official, with the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, writing to the cabinet secretary requesting that the government releases in full what Mitchell said to the officers. However, government sources say Mitchell will keep his job.Labour makes its position more official, with the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, writing to the cabinet secretary requesting that the government releases in full what Mitchell said to the officers. However, government sources say Mitchell will keep his job.
The Guardian reports that Andrew Mitchell will hold on to his position as chief whip unless more damaging details emerge.The Guardian reports that Andrew Mitchell will hold on to his position as chief whip unless more damaging details emerge.
Monday 24 SeptemberMonday 24 September
In a fresh and significant blow to Mitchell's professional prospects, the Sun reports that the official police report into the incident cites a constable reporting Mitchell's words as: "Best you learn your fucking place. You don't run this fucking government. You're fucking plebs."In a fresh and significant blow to Mitchell's professional prospects, the Sun reports that the official police report into the incident cites a constable reporting Mitchell's words as: "Best you learn your fucking place. You don't run this fucking government. You're fucking plebs."
The Police Federation and Cooper call on Cameron to launch an investigation, while the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, says it is "really important that Andrew Mitchell explains fully and in detail his version of events".The Police Federation and Cooper call on Cameron to launch an investigation, while the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, says it is "really important that Andrew Mitchell explains fully and in detail his version of events".
Mitchell makes a swiftly announced statement to the press as he arrives at work. He again denies saying "pleb" but ignores repeated questions to specify what he did say.Mitchell makes a swiftly announced statement to the press as he arrives at work. He again denies saying "pleb" but ignores repeated questions to specify what he did say.
He says: "I want first of all to reiterate the apology I made last week, after the incident on Wednesday night in Downing Street. It had been the end of a long and extremely frustrating day – not that that is any excuse at all for what happened. I didn't show the police the amount of respect I should have done. we should all respect the police. They do an incredibly difficult job. I've apologised to the police. I've apologised to police officer involved on the gate and he's accepted my apology, and I hope very much that we can draw a line under it there." He says: "I want first of all to reiterate the apology I made last week, after the incident on Wednesday night in Downing Street. It had been the end of a long and extremely frustrating day – not that, that is any excuse at all for what happened. I didn't show the police the amount of respect I should have done. We should all respect the police. They do an incredibly difficult job. I've apologised to the police. I've apologised to police officer involved on the gate and he's accepted my apology, and I hope very much that we can draw a line under it there."
Asked what words he did use, Mitchell adds: "I am very clear about what I said and what I didn't say. And I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not use the words that have been attributed to me." Asked again, he walked off, saying: "I'm now going to go in and get on with my work."Asked what words he did use, Mitchell adds: "I am very clear about what I said and what I didn't say. And I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not use the words that have been attributed to me." Asked again, he walked off, saying: "I'm now going to go in and get on with my work."