Andrew Mitchell MP arriving at Downing Street Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA
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.
IPCC urges Mitchell to let police get on with inquiry
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.
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.
Andrew Mitchell tries to clear his name after 'Plebgate'
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:
Report: No evidence of police lies in 'Plebgate' file
There is no evidence that officers lied about an altercation with Andrew Mitchell in Downing Street contained in the police file handed to the Crown Prosecution Service, The Guardian has reported.
The newspaper said it is understood there is nothing in the file to support a claim that Met police officers were involved in an conspiracy to frame the former chief whip.
Mitchell notified The Sun about legal action last month
Andrew Mitchell said he had been the subject of "a campaign of vilification". Credit: PA Wire
Andrew Mitchell's lawyers sent The Sun a "letter before action" last month, putting it on notice that the Conservative MP intended to sue.
At the time, his lawyer Graham Atkins told The Guardian: "We are seeking damages, an apology, an undertaking that the words complained of are not repeated, and costs."
The newspaper was the first to break the story of Mr Mitchell's row with the officers at Downing Street, which became known as the "Plebgate" scandal.
by Alex Forrest - Political Correspondent
Andrew Mitchell has always denied referring to police officers as "plebs" during an incident outside Downing Street last September. Credit: Nick Ansell/PA Wire
Andrew Mitchell has confirmed to me that he has issued a libel writ against The Sun over "Plebgate".
Operation Alice officers were tasked with investigating who passed information to The Sun and The Telegraph newspaper regarding the "Plebgate" incident, including whether the leak came from within the police force or from a third party.
They examined a police witness statement from the incident and investigated if there was a conspiracy between the officer and another party.
They also investigated claims made by Andrew Mitchell that police lied in the police log of the incident.
I've just got off the phone to Andrew Mitchell, the MP accused of calling police officers in Downing Street plebs - which he's always denied.
He told me he was informed by the IPCC yesterday that police files into what happened were about to be handed over to the CPS. He was also contacted earlier today by the police officer in charge to say it was about to happen.
Andrew Mitchell resigned from his position following the incident at Downing Street despite disputing the nature of the claims against him. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Scotland Yard officers carried out inquiries as part of Operation Alice, the investigation in connection with an incident involving then Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell in Downing Street.
A copy of the file handed to the Crown Prosecution Service was also given to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is supervising the investigation.
The incident in September last year became popularly known as "Plebgate" following claims, denied by Mr Mitchell, that the MP called officers "plebs" in a dispute.
