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Andrew Mitchell to sue Sun newspaper over 'plebgate' Andrew Mitchell to sue Sun newspaper over 'plebgate'
(about 1 hour later)
Former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell says he is suing the Sun over claims he swore and called police officers plebs. Ex-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell has said he is suing the Sun over claims he swore and called police officers plebs.
Mr Mitchell denied the claims, which were first reported in the newspaper, but resigned as chief whip. Mr Mitchell has repeatedly denied the claims, first reported in the Sun, but he later resigned as chief whip.
A source close to Mr Mitchell said he wanted to address "the campaign of vilification by the Sun newspaper against him" and that a point had to be made. His lawyer confirmed a libel writ had been issued, while a source said he wanted to address "the campaign of vilification by the Sun against him".
"It is always risky suing newspapers but he felt he had no alternative." A spokesman for the Sun newspaper said: "We stand by our story and will defend this claim vigorously."
A spokesman for the Sun said: "We stand by our story and will defend this claim vigorously". Earlier, police investigating the incident said they had passed evidence to prosecutors.
Earlier police investigating the incident said they had passed evidence to prosecutors. 'Further action'
Four people have so far been arrested after an investigation into the incident which happened in September last year. Mr Mitchell's lawyer Graham Atkins has indicated that further legal action could follow.
Initial reports had said that Mr Mitchell lost his temper and swore at police when they refused to open the gates for him as he cycled out. "I can confirm that I recently issued proceedings for libel against the owners of the Sun on behalf of Andrew Mitchell MP," he said.
He resigned from the cabinet, but Mr Mitchell denied directly swearing at the officer and insisted he did not lose his temper or call the officer a "pleb". "There are a number of other potential actions being considered but I do not intend commenting any further at this stage."
CCTV footage of the incident cast doubt on the police reports. A source close to Mr Mitchell told the BBC: "He felt that a point had to be made. It is always risky suing newspapers but he felt he had no alternative."
Last month a 46-year-old woman who is a member of the diplomatic protection group and was in Downing Street during the alleged incident, was held in connection with the unauthorised disclosure of information to the media. So far four people - including three police officers - have been arrested as part of the investigation into the incident, which happened in September last year.
That followed the questioning of two other members of the same unit on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, and the arrest of a 23-year-old man - not a member of the police force - on suspicion of "intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence". CCTV footage
Initial reports had said that the former Conservative cabinet minister lost his temper and allegedly swore at police when they refused to open the gates for him as he cycled out.
Mr Mitchell admitted there was an exchange and resigned from the cabinet - but denied directly swearing at any officers and denied using the word "pleb".
CCTV footage of the incident later cast doubt on the police reports.
Those arrested in relation to the incident include:
All three police officers remain suspended.
The CPS earlier confirmed it had received files in relation to the case.
"We have received initial papers but we have not received a full file of evidence and we now await the conclusion of the police investigation before considering charges," a spokesman said.