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| 'Plebgate' inquiry: Theresa May urged to seek answers from police | 'Plebgate' inquiry: Theresa May urged to seek answers from police |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Former Home Secretary Jack Straw has urged Theresa May to seek answers over the police inquiry into the so-called plebgate incident in Downing Street. | Former Home Secretary Jack Straw has urged Theresa May to seek answers over the police inquiry into the so-called plebgate incident in Downing Street. |
| Scotland Yard has been investigating the row a year ago between police and then Tory Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell. | Scotland Yard has been investigating the row a year ago between police and then Tory Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell. |
| In a letter to the current home secretary, Labour MP Mr Straw says she should find out why the probe had "inordinate and unjustified delays". | |
| He said it was taking a "toll" on Mr Mitchell, who was a "personal friend". | He said it was taking a "toll" on Mr Mitchell, who was a "personal friend". |
| Mr Straw's letter comes after similar concerns about the length of the investigation were raised by former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald and ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard. | Mr Straw's letter comes after similar concerns about the length of the investigation were raised by former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald and ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard. |
| The incident took place on 19 September last year when Mr Mitchell was told by police not to take his bike through the main Downing Street gates. | The incident took place on 19 September last year when Mr Mitchell was told by police not to take his bike through the main Downing Street gates. |
| Mr Mitchell, who resigned as Conservative chief whip a month later, has admitted swearing at the officers but always disputed newspaper claims that he described them as "plebs". | Mr Mitchell, who resigned as Conservative chief whip a month later, has admitted swearing at the officers but always disputed newspaper claims that he described them as "plebs". |
| In his letter, Mr Straw said: "I may be on a different political side from Mr Mitchell, but I am also a friend of his, and have a high respect for his abilities and integrity too. | In his letter, Mr Straw said: "I may be on a different political side from Mr Mitchell, but I am also a friend of his, and have a high respect for his abilities and integrity too. |
| "No-one, whatever their position, should have to suffer the toll which all this has taken on Andrew and his family. It's high time these delays were brought to an end." | "No-one, whatever their position, should have to suffer the toll which all this has taken on Andrew and his family. It's high time these delays were brought to an end." |
| Mr Straw acknowledged that it was not the role of a home secretary to "seek to influence the outcome of any investigation", but said Mrs May's statutory responsibilities for the overall supervision of the police meant it was reasonable for her to seek answers. | Mr Straw acknowledged that it was not the role of a home secretary to "seek to influence the outcome of any investigation", but said Mrs May's statutory responsibilities for the overall supervision of the police meant it was reasonable for her to seek answers. |
| He suggests she should find out what is causing the delays in the investigation called Operation Alice, when it is expected to finish and how the initial police account of the incident found its way into the Sun newspaper. | He suggests she should find out what is causing the delays in the investigation called Operation Alice, when it is expected to finish and how the initial police account of the incident found its way into the Sun newspaper. |
| Mr Straw added that "some conclusions should be reached, so that he and his family can get on with their lives, and he can resume his career". | Mr Straw added that "some conclusions should be reached, so that he and his family can get on with their lives, and he can resume his career". |
| Eight people have been arrested in connection with the inquiry, including five police officers. | Eight people have been arrested in connection with the inquiry, including five police officers. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has defended Scotland Yard, saying "what has evolved are allegations of a conspiracy which by its very nature is complex". | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has defended Scotland Yard, saying "what has evolved are allegations of a conspiracy which by its very nature is complex". |
| In a statement issued on Tuesday after Lord Macdonald's comments in the Times newspaper, the Metropolitan Police said its inquiry was "examining very serious allegations, that go to the heart of the public's trust in the police service". | In a statement issued on Tuesday after Lord Macdonald's comments in the Times newspaper, the Metropolitan Police said its inquiry was "examining very serious allegations, that go to the heart of the public's trust in the police service". |
| "The investigation is being conducted with oversight from the IPCC. This complicated inquiry will go where the evidence takes us, and will take as long as is necessary." | "The investigation is being conducted with oversight from the IPCC. This complicated inquiry will go where the evidence takes us, and will take as long as is necessary." |