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'Plebgate': Police chiefs face MPs over Mitchell meeting 'Plebgate': Police chiefs face MPs over Mitchell meeting
(about 7 hours later)
Three police chief constables are to face MPs later over their forces' roles in the "plebgate" affair. The chief constables of West Mercia, Warwickshire and West Midlands are to face MPs over the "plebgate" row.
Officers from West Mercia, Warwickshire and the West Midlands stand accused of misleading the public after meeting ex-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell. The chiefs will be quizzed over allegations three police officers under their command tried to discredit former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell was accused by police in Downing Street of calling them "plebs" after refusing to let him ride his bike through gates into Whitehall. The officers met Mr Mitchell amid a row over whether he called police at Downing Street "plebs" for not letting him ride his bike through the gates.
He later resigned and his allies have sought punishment for those involved. Mr Mitchell, who has always denied the claim, later resigned as chief whip.
The former government chief whip has always denied this version of the September 2012 incident and CCTV footage has cast doubt on the officers' account of it. CCTV footage has cast doubt on the officers' account of the September 2012 incident.
'Integrity''Integrity'
But a further controversy has developed recently.But a further controversy has developed recently.
It surrounds a meeting three weeks after the incident between Mr Mitchell and three police officers from West Mercia, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, who were representing the Police Federation, overseeing an investigation into the matter.It surrounds a meeting three weeks after the incident between Mr Mitchell and three police officers from West Mercia, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, who were representing the Police Federation, overseeing an investigation into the matter.
After the talks, the officers issued a statement saying Mr Mitchell had refused to elaborate and should quit, which he later did.After the talks, the officers issued a statement saying Mr Mitchell had refused to elaborate and should quit, which he later did.
However, a recording of the meeting made by Mr Mitchell showed that - contrary to the claims - he had, during the meeting, denied using the word "pleb".However, a recording of the meeting made by Mr Mitchell showed that - contrary to the claims - he had, during the meeting, denied using the word "pleb".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said the trio's actions brought their "honesty and integrity" into question, but the three forces have said they will not take action against them.The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said the trio's actions brought their "honesty and integrity" into question, but the three forces have said they will not take action against them.
The officers have since said they regret giving the statement, but Mr Mitchell's allies have dubbed this a "regretful non-apology".The officers have since said they regret giving the statement, but Mr Mitchell's allies have dubbed this a "regretful non-apology".
The chief constables face the Home Affairs Committee from 14:45 BST.The chief constables face the Home Affairs Committee from 14:45 BST.
They are Warwickshire's Andy Parker, West Mercia's David Shaw and West Midlands' Chris Sims.They are Warwickshire's Andy Parker, West Mercia's David Shaw and West Midlands' Chris Sims.
The three officers who took part in the meeting with Mr Mitchell - Det Supt Stuart Hinton, Sgt Chris Jones and Insp Ken MacKaill - will also be questioned.The three officers who took part in the meeting with Mr Mitchell - Det Supt Stuart Hinton, Sgt Chris Jones and Insp Ken MacKaill - will also be questioned.
Meanwhile, a ComRes poll for the BBC suggests 82% of people are still likely to believe what the police say.Meanwhile, a ComRes poll for the BBC suggests 82% of people are still likely to believe what the police say.
Of the 1,000 people questioned, 67% said plebgate had made "no difference" to their opinion, while 26% responded that it had made them "slightly less" or "much less" likely to trust the police.Of the 1,000 people questioned, 67% said plebgate had made "no difference" to their opinion, while 26% responded that it had made them "slightly less" or "much less" likely to trust the police.