Andrew Mitchell sues the Sun over Plebgate
Andrew Mitchell has issued a libel writ against the Sun over the 'Plebgate' affair.
Andrew Mitchell has issued a libel writ against the Sun over the 'Plebgate' affair.
Former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell is reported to be putting his bike up for sale as it has become a liability after the 'plebgate' scandal.
Britain's most senior police officer has promised a "ruthless" investigation into an alleged conspiracy against Andrew Mitchell.
The former International Development Secretary and Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell has donated his bike to a charity auction. The sale of his bike will raise funds for Nyumbani UK who works with children affected by HIV and Aids in Kenya.
Mr Mitchell's bike was made infamous when he was stopped from riding it across the cobbles outside Number 10 and had an altercation with a police officer as a result.
The cost of investigating how allegations that Mr Mitchell allegedly called a police officer a "pleb" has reached more than £140,000.
The police investigation in to the "Plebgate" affair which led to the resignation of former chief whip Andrew Mitchell has cost nearly £150,000, it emerged.
Codenamed Operation Alice, the Scotland Yard inquiry was launched after claims that officers may have lied about the dispute with Mr Mitchell when they refused to let him leave Downing Street on his bike via the main gate in September last year.
In a letter from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan, leading the investigation, to Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, it was disclosed the cost of the police investigation had reached £144,000.
DAC Gallan wrote: "It remains that I have 30 officers at my disposal and the Operation Alice is estimated to have cost £144,000 to date."
"Four people have been arrested and no individual is currently charged. The advice file submitted to the CPS by the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) has specifically asked for advice and guidance surrounding the future of the investigation in relation to potential criminal charges."
Scotland Yard are looking into the possibility of criminal charges in the 'Plebgate' affair.
The inquiry, codenamed 'Operation Alice' began after claims that officers involved in the row may have lied about the dispute with Mr Mitchell, when they refused to let him leave Downing Street on his bike through the main gate in September last year.
At the time it was claimed at the time that Mr Mitchell swore at the officers and called them "plebs". He strenuously denies the allegations, and was forced to resign from his post as David Cameron's Chief Whip after a series of damaging headlines.
The police watchdog has replied to former chief whip Andrew Mitchell's letter, where he voiced concerns over the apparent leaking of a report into the 'plebgate' scandal.
In a letter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, Mr Mitchell said the leaking of information had been "spun" to the officers advantage.
Deputy Chair of the IPCC Deborah Glass has replied:
While this does not rule out the possibility of the MPS file having been leaked, it also raises other possibilities, either that someone who may have been connected to the investigation or in possession of material had a conversation with a reporter, or that the author/s of the articles were reporting speculatively – I note, for example, the references in both stories to “…it is understood that..."
While I fully understand your concerns about these press reports, it appears to me that the public interest is best served by ensuring that the MPS [Met Police] are indeed carrying out a robust and thorough investigation into the initial incident and its aftermath.
Scotland Yard is investigating how the Sun and the Daily Telegraph got hold of information about “Plebgate” and whether there was a leak from police.
Andrew Mitchell’s claims that police lied in the log of the event and a police officer's claim to have witnessed the altercation are also being looked into by Scotland Yard.
Three officers have so far been arrested as part of the investigation.
Papers related to the case were passed to prosecutors on Thursday.
A number of newspapers have reported that the file does not contain evidence that officers lied about an altercation with Mitchell in Downing Street.
Andrew Mitchell, who has made a former complaint against Scotland Yard over the alleged leaking of its “Plebgate” report, has strongly criticised the Met’s handling of the situation.
In a letter to IPCC deputy chairman Deborah Glass, he wrote:
We are deeply dismayed that the Metropolitan Police appear to have leaked part of their Report prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to certain members of the Press and spun it to the advantage of the Police officers involved.
– Andrew MitchellThis 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.
Andrew Mitchell, the former Cabinet Minister, has made a formal complaint against Scotland Yard over the alleged leaking of its report into the “Plebgate” affair.
Mitchell made the move after Friday’s newspapers suggested a police file handed to the Crown Prosecution Service contained no proof that police officers lied about the incident.
The Tory MP has written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) accusing the Metropolitan Police of a continued campaign to "destroy" his career.
Andrew Mitchell has issued a libel writ against the Sun over the 'Plebgate' affair.
Read the full story
Andrew Mitchell's lawyer has confirmed that the MP has taken legal action against the Sun and indicated that "other potential actions" were being considered.
Graham Atkins said: "I can confirm that I recently issued proceedings for libel against the owners of The Sun on behalf of Andrew Mitchell MP.
"There are a number of other potential actions being considered but I do not intend commenting any further at this stage."
Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell has begun legal proceedings to clear his name following the "Plebgate" scandal.
The Conservative MP is suing The Sun over its reporting of his infamous row with officers in Downing Street as a file investigating police involvement in the incident is passed to prosecutors.
ITV News' Political Correspondent Alex Forrest reports: