London - A British policeman was charged on Tuesday with lying and seven others face disciplinary proceedings over the so-called “plebgate” scandal which brought down a government minister.
Former Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell was involved in an altercation with police as he tried to push his bicycle through the gates at Prime Minister David Cameron's Downing Street residence.
Prosecutors said they had charged a police officer, Keith Wallis, with lying about witnessing the row in September 2012 but said there was no evidence of a conspiracy against the ex-international development minister.
Mitchell hit back after the decision, accusing the policeman with whom he had the argument of falsely claiming that the minister had called police “plebs”, a derogatory word used to describe commoners. He also said that prosecutors should have charged the officer as well.
“I have told the truth about this incident. The police did not. My reputation has been destroyed,” Mitchell told a packed news conference at his lawyer's office in central London.
He said the case raised serious questions about the integrity of the police.
“If the police can do this in such a casual way in one of the safest areas in Britain and get away with it, then they can do it to anyone, anywhere, and at any time,” he said.
The Metropolitan Police said the policeman with whom Mitchell had the argument, Toby Rowland, would not face disciplinary proceedings but that Wallis and seven others would.
Mitchell resigned a few weeks after the altercation after coming under heavy criticism for allegedly calling the armed officers “plebs”.
He admitted swearing at the diplomatic protection officers but denied using the politically toxic word.
Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said Downing Street security camera footage provided “insufficient evidence” of what was said and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy, nor were any charges brought against Rowland.
But Mitchell launched an unusually strong attack on both the prosecutors and the police after the decision was announced.
“I wish now to make clear that PC Toby Rowland, who was responsible for writing those toxic phrases into his notebook, was not telling the truth,” Mitchell said.
“I will seek to say this on oath in a court of law and it is our intention to ensure that PC Toby Rowland has similarly to swear his account.”
Rowland later issued a statement saying prosecutors had “confirmed there is insufficient evidence to take any criminal proceedings against me” but that he was prepared to give evidence under oath if needed.
Mitchell's allies claim police misrepresented the incident to the media to discredit Cameron's government as it was imposing major cuts to the national police budget.
Senior Conservative lawmaker David Davis showed separate video footage at the press conference which he said demonstrated it was impossible for Mitchell to have made the alleged comments in the time available.
Aside from Wallis, who will appear in court next month, four officers will face proceedings for gross misconduct and another three are subject to less serious proceedings.
Metropolitan police chief Bernard Hogan-Howe said there had been a “ruthless search for the truth” and that it was necessary to discipline the eight officers.
“I believe that public trust and confidence in the integrity of the police is fundamental to us providing an effective service for the public,” he said.
Hogan-Howe himself came under fire from Mitchell for briefing newspapers in the wake of the scandal that police had done nothing wrong.
Cameron's official spokesman refused to be drawn on the developments but said the prime minister had “very high regard” for the officers working at Downing Street.
Mitchell on Tuesday hinted that he may be about to return to government, telling Channel 4 News “I am satisfied that I have an understanding with the Prime Minister on this point.” - AFP