Former Chief Whip makes official complaint accusing police of 'dishonest and illicit' campaign to destroy him

It's clear that some London police did lie in their reports about the matter so it is amazing that they think a coverup could succeed

The Cabinet Minister forced to step down over the ‘plebgate’ affair has accused police of a sustained ‘dishonest and illicit’ campaign to destroy him.

Former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell launched the attack after a press report suggested an official Scotland Yard inquiry has dismissed his claim that police lied about being insulted by him.

He accused Scotland Yard of leaking the information in an attempt to clear Downing Street police, who claimed he called them ‘f****** plebs.’

In a letter to Deborah Glass, deputy chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, he said: ‘I would like to lodge an official complaint to the IPCC.’ He added: ‘This was an enquiry into a dishonest and illicit attempt to blacken my name and destroy my career.

It would appear that this police enquiry continues precisely that process. I am deeply dismayed that the Metropolitan Police appear to have leaked part of their report prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service ...... and spun it to the advantage of the police officers involved.’

Mr Mitchell’s response came after press reports that Scotland Yard’s inquiry into the row found no conclusive evidence that Downing Street police lied or tried to frame him.

Mr Mitchell has apologised for using bad language when asked to take his bicycle via a side entrance at the Downing Street gates last September.

But he has always claimed that police fabricated claims that he called them ‘f****** plebs’. It led to his resignation as Chief Whip after it was leaked to the press.

But the row flared again last week when the Metropolitan Police sent the results of a three-month investigation into the affair to the CPS.

It is understood to conclude there is no proof of a conspiracy by the officers to smear or destroy Mr Mitchell’s career.

The saga took another turn when, hours after receiving the Met’s file, the CPS said it was unhappy with the quality and quantity of the evidence. Weeks after being forced to resign in disgrace, Mr Mitchell became convinced that he was the victim of a police conspiracy after new evidence appeared to cast doubt on the claims against him.

About 30 detectives have taken statements from all 800 officers in the diplomatic protection group as part of Operation Alice, the codename for Scotland Yard’s ‘plebgate’ investigation.

However, it is understood that Operation Alice has found no evidence to corroborate Sutton Coldfield MP Mr Mitchell’s allegation.

Former Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, a close ally of Mr Mitchell, said last night: ‘It is not for members of the Metropolitan Police to decide on their own case, and it is certainly not for them to attempt to spin themselves out of trouble.’

Former Tory leader Michael Howard said: ‘I am concerned about the leaked report.

‘It should not have put into the public domain. If leaked by the police – and there are indications that this is the case – it is utterly deplorable.’

Original report here




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