Andrew Mitchell resigns over Pleb-gate
Andrew Mitchell has resigned as Chief Whip to the Government with enormous regret following the Pleb-gate controversy where he swore at police officers.
Andrew Mitchell resigned as Chief Whip to the Government with enormous regret on Friday following the Pleb-gate controversy where he swore at police officers.
The row over the exact words used by Mr Mitchell he claims in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that he said I thought you guys were supposed to f****** help us, while the officers allege he called them f****** plebs who should know their place refused to die since the incident occurred on September 21.
Mr Mitchell was attempting to leave Downing Street on his way to a private members club, but complained when officers present would not let him through the main gate. The Chief Whip then swore at the officers to whom he later apologised in person, but after backbench Tory MPs continued to apply pressure and clear-the-air talks with Police Federation officials on October 15 failed he eventually relinquished his position.
In his resignation letter he said: Over the last two days it has become clear to me that whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter I will not be able to fulfill my duties as we both would wish. Nor is it fair to continue to put my family and colleagues through this upsetting and damaging publicity.
He added: I now intend to concentrate on serving my constituents in the Royal town of Sutton Coldfield to the best of my ability and giving you the strong support you rightly deserve from all members of the Conservative Party.
The role of Conservative backbenchers is thought to have been crucial in forcing the Chief Whips hand. Despite the support of David Cameron and Education Secretary Michael Gove, who said the officer may have remembered the incident incorrectly, there were also rumoured to be divisions in the Cabinet, with Home Secretary Theresa May dodging questions on whether she supported her colleague.
On Sunday Lord Tebbit, former Tory Secretary of State for Employment, wrote in The Observer criticising the Government over the affair, saying it added to an image of an administration unable to manage its affairs competently.
Paul McKeever, Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales said: It is not good to see anyone fall from public office but the decision by the Prime Minister to accept Andrew Mitchells resignation seemed almost inevitable.
Andrew Mitchell has apologised to our Metropolitan Police colleague and our colleague has accepted the apology. We hope this matter is now closed.