This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25682652
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 'Plebgate' affair: Met PC admits misconduct | 'Plebgate' affair: Met PC admits misconduct |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Met policeman has admitted misconduct in public office over the "plebgate" affair and is to offer to resign. | |
| PC Keith Wallis, 53, admitted falsely claiming to have witnessed a row between then-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell and police in September 2012. | |
| He has been bailed for sentencing on 6 February pending psychiatric reports. | He has been bailed for sentencing on 6 February pending psychiatric reports. |
| Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe apologised to Mr Mitchell, who said he was pleased "justice had been done" but that unanswered questions remained. | |
| 'Clearly lied' | 'Clearly lied' |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Mitchell has admitted swearing during the incident but has denied claims that he swore directly at police or used the word "pleb". | |
| 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. | 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. |
| At the Old Bailey on Friday, PC Wallis spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges before he pleaded guilty. | At the Old Bailey on Friday, PC Wallis spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges before he pleaded guilty. |
| The court was told the diplomatic protection group officer had admitted his guilt in a police interview before pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. | The court was told the diplomatic protection group officer had admitted his guilt in a police interview before pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. |
| In a statement, 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. | 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 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 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." | "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." |
| PC Wallis's lawyer said he would offer his resignation from the Met later on Friday. | |
| Further misconduct charges | 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." |
| He added that he was "looking forward to seeing justice done" in the other outstanding related disciplinary cases. | He added that he was "looking forward to seeing justice done" in the other outstanding related disciplinary cases. |
| Mr Mitchell is being sued for libel by PC Rowland over comments he made following the incident. | |
| Four other officers are facing gross misconduct hearings later this year relating to the "improper disclosure of information", the Met said in a statement. | 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. | 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." | "These processes are currently under way." |
| Adjourning PC Wallis's case until February, Mr Justice Sweeney said all sentencing options remained open. | Adjourning PC Wallis's case until February, Mr Justice Sweeney said all sentencing options remained open. |