Pleb-gate officers to face misconduct hearings
Two police officers will face misconduct hearings over their actions following a meeting with former Conservative Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell.
Two police officers will face misconduct hearings over their actions following a meeting with former Conservative Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell.
West Mercia and Warwickshire Police Federation representatives Inspector Ken Mackaill and Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton were accused of misrepresenting their meeting with Mr Mitchell days after the Pleb-gate row in September 2012.
Following the meeting in Mr Mitchells constituency office, Insp Mackaill wrongly told the media that the MP would not provide an account of the incident which occurred after officers refused to allow Mr Mitchell through the main gates of Downing Street on his bicycle.
Mr Mitchell, who resigned from his cabinet post over the row, has always denied calling officers guarding Downing Street plebs, although accepts he did swear at them.
IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley has directed Warwickshire Police to hold a misconduct hearing for Detective Sgt Hinton, after the force declined to follow an earlier recommendation that there was a case to answer for gross misconduct.
West Mercia Police agreed that Insp Mackaill has a case to answer for gross misconduct and should therefore face a misconduct hearing.
In respect of Sergeant Chris Jones, who was accused of misleading MPs about his disciplinary record when giving evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee in 2013, Mr Gumsley agreed with West Midlands Police that no action should be taken.
West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police will now make arrangements for the disciplinary hearings to be held.
The IPCC also announced that none of the officers will be subject to criminal proceedings.