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'Plebgate' affair: Met PC admits misconduct 'Plebgate' affair: Met PC admits misconduct
(35 minutes later)
A Met police officer has admitted misconduct in public office over the "plebgate" affair. A Met police officer plans to resign after admitting misconduct in public office over the "plebgate" affair.
PC Keith Wallis, 53, was accused of falsely claiming to have witnessed a row between the then-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell and police officers at the gates of Downing Street. PC Keith Wallis, 53, has admitted falsely claiming to have witnessed a row between then-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell and police officers in Downing Street in September 2012.
The diplomatic protection group officer has been bailed until 6 February when he is due to be sentenced.The diplomatic protection group officer has been bailed until 6 February when he is due to be sentenced.
He will offer his resignation from the force later, his lawyer said. Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe apologised to Mr Mitchell.
It was claimed PC Wallis sent an email to his local MP John Randall, then Conservative deputy chief whip, wrongly stating he had witnessed the row. What came to be labelled by the media as "plebgate" occurred when Mr Mitchell was stopped from cycling through Downing Street's main gates by another police officer, Toby Rowland.
He was accused of arranging for his nephew to support his allegations. Mr Mitchell has admitted swearing during the incident but has denied claims that he swore directly at police and called them plebs.
What came to be labelled by the media as "plebgate" occurred when Mr Mitchell was stopped from cycling through Downing Street's main gates by another police officer. In the aftermath, PC Wallis sent an email to his local MP John Randall, then Conservative deputy chief whip, wrongly stating he had witnessed the row.
Mr Mitchell has admitted swearing during the incident but denies it was directly aimed at the officers as well as a claim that he called them plebs. He was also accused of arranging for his nephew to support his allegations.
Adjourning the case at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Sweeney said all sentencing options remained open. 'Clearly lied'
At the Old Bailey on Friday, the court was told PC Wallis had admitted his guilt in a police interview before pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Sir Bernard said the evidence against the officer had led to his guilty plea.
PC Wallis's actions had damaged public trust and confidence in the police and in the integrity of his officers, Sir Bernard added.
"I would also like to apologise to Mr Mitchell that an MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] officer clearly lied about seeing him behaving in a certain manner," the commissioner said.
"I will be writing to him offering to meet and apologise in person.
"I expect my officers to serve the public without fear or favour, where officers break the law they must expect to be held to account and answer for what they have done."
Further misconduct charges
Mr Mitchell - Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield - said in a statement: "I am pleased that justice has been done in a criminal court today.Mr Mitchell - Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield - said in a statement: "I am pleased that justice has been done in a criminal court today.
"It is very sad and worrying for all of us that a serving police officer should have behaved in this way."It is very sad and worrying for all of us that a serving police officer should have behaved in this way.
"There remain many questions unanswered, in particular why PC Wallis wrote this email and who else was involved in this process.""There remain many questions unanswered, in particular why PC Wallis wrote this email and who else was involved in this process."
Four other officers are facing gross misconduct hearings later this year relating to the "improper disclosure of information", the Met said in a statement.
It added: "Another two officers will be subject to local misconduct in relation to providing inaccurate statements or inappropriate comments and a seventh officer has been recommended for management action in relation to inappropriate comments.
"These processes are currently under way."
Adjourning PC Wallis's case at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Sweeney said all sentencing options remained open.