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| Met failure to conclude 'plebgate' inquiry is quite outrageous, says ex-DPP | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Metropolitan police's failure to conclude an investigation into the so-called plebgate affair involving the former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell is "quite outrageous", a former director of pubic prosecutions has claimed. | |
| Lord MacDonald said there was no excuse for the delay, given the consequences of the 45-second incident, which resulted in Mitchell resigning as the government's chief whip after he was accused of calling police officers on duty in Downing Street plebs in September last year. | Lord MacDonald said there was no excuse for the delay, given the consequences of the 45-second incident, which resulted in Mitchell resigning as the government's chief whip after he was accused of calling police officers on duty in Downing Street plebs in September last year. |
| Mitchell admitted losing his temper and swearing but denied using the word plebs, which was alleged in a police log leaked to the media. | Mitchell admitted losing his temper and swearing but denied using the word plebs, which was alleged in a police log leaked to the media. |
| Writing in the Times, MacDonald said: "We are talking here about the resignation of a British cabinet minister, a resignation forced upon him at the height of his career by police allegations that are now seriously called into question. An expeditious and thorough investigation should have been perfectly possible … It seems quite outrageous that, in the face of the simplicity of the allegations and this significant commitment of public resources, the investigation rambles on, with no apparent end in sight." | Writing in the Times, MacDonald said: "We are talking here about the resignation of a British cabinet minister, a resignation forced upon him at the height of his career by police allegations that are now seriously called into question. An expeditious and thorough investigation should have been perfectly possible … It seems quite outrageous that, in the face of the simplicity of the allegations and this significant commitment of public resources, the investigation rambles on, with no apparent end in sight." |
| MacDonald, who was DPP from 2003 to 2008, also castigates the Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, as "plain foolish" for maintaining that he believed his officers were telling the truth at the same time as he announced the investigation. | MacDonald, who was DPP from 2003 to 2008, also castigates the Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, as "plain foolish" for maintaining that he believed his officers were telling the truth at the same time as he announced the investigation. |
| The controversy arose after Mitchell tried to ride his bicycle through the gates in Downing Street and was asked to dismount by the two officers on duty. His alleged use of the word plebs, which he vehemently denied, saw him vilified and he resigned a month later. | |
| But CCTV footage was subsequently broadcast, casting doubt on the original account of what happened. Additionally, an email account of the incident purportedly sent by a member of the public who had witnessed it, turned out to have been sent by a Met officer who was not present. | But CCTV footage was subsequently broadcast, casting doubt on the original account of what happened. Additionally, an email account of the incident purportedly sent by a member of the public who had witnessed it, turned out to have been sent by a Met officer who was not present. |
| MacDonald warned that if it is proved that officers lied over Mitchell using the word pleb, "the missile is heading straight for the heart of the Metropolitan police". | MacDonald warned that if it is proved that officers lied over Mitchell using the word pleb, "the missile is heading straight for the heart of the Metropolitan police". |
| Thirty detectives have taken statements from all 800 officers in the diplomatic protection group as part of Operation Alice, which has already cost close to £200,000, and is being carried out under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Eight people have been arrested. | Thirty detectives have taken statements from all 800 officers in the diplomatic protection group as part of Operation Alice, which has already cost close to £200,000, and is being carried out under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Eight people have been arrested. |
| A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said: "This investigation is examining very serious allegations, that go to the heart of the public's trust in the police service. The MPS is conducting a thorough investigation that aims to establish the truth of what has taken place and find the best possible evidence. | A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said: "This investigation is examining very serious allegations, that go to the heart of the public's trust in the police service. The MPS is conducting a thorough investigation that aims to establish the truth of what has taken place and find the best possible evidence. |
| "An initial file was passed to the CPS in March 2013. However, since that time three separate pieces of information have been given to us. As a result further inquiries have had to be made." | |
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