SEnior Conservative Politician Calls Police Officers "Plebs"

[Zaune]

The Guardian

Andrew Mitchell is facing renewed pressure after the Sun newspaper revealed that an official police report of a confrontation in Downing Street claimed that he described armed officers as "plebs".

In a blow to the chief whip, who had been warned by No 10 that his position would be in jeopardy if more damaging details emerged, the Sun said the report confirmed the officers' account.

The official report, which has been seen the Sun, says that Mitchell swore at the officers and described them as "plebs" when they declined to open the security gates in Downing Street to allow him to cycle past.

Mitchell admits swearing in the presence of the officers, though he fiercely denies describing them as "plebs". His position would be untenable if he was proved to have used the word, because it would lend support to Labour claims that the Tory leadership regards public servants – even those charged with guarding the prime minister – as socially inferior.

The decision of the police to issue a direct challenge to Mitchell, by showing their report to the Sun, means that the prime minister will once again have to review the position of his new chief whip. David Cameron had let it be known that Mitchell would be allowed to keep his job after apologising to the police last week if no more damaging details emerged. Sources said there were no excuses for Mitchell's behaviour, which has prompted a difficult few days for the government.

Mitchell has admitted swearing in front of officers, though he insisted he used the word "fucking" to express frustration and did not direct it at the police. The chief whip, who went to public school, has emphatically denied accusations by unnamed police officers that he called them "plebs".

The chief whip's explanation cut no ice with Labour, which said his account was "unravelling". Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said that the confirmation that Mitchell had sworn in front of police guarding Downing Street merited an investigation by Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary.

Cooper said: "Andrew Mitchell's account of what went on is unravelling day by day and we need to know exactly what happened. Everyone is already deeply concerned that a senior cabinet minister is reported as dismissing police officers doing an important security job as 'plebs.' It is really important that the prime minister does not compound this by dismissing the testimony of police officers and the evidence from their notebooks without proper investigation."

Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, said he accepted Mitchell's explanation that he did not use the word "plebs". But Pickles mocked Mitchell when he told the BBC's Sunday Politics: "He's never used it in my presence, but then again I'm very proud myself to be a pleb."

The most authoritative account of Mitchell's side of his confrontation with the police was published by the Sunday Telegraph. In his weekly column, Matthew d'Ancona wrote that Mitchell has admitted that he swore, though it was not aimed directly at the police.

The paper says that Mitchell admitted muttering in earshot of the police: "You guys are supposed to fucking help us."

Mitchell has let it be known he used the word "adjectivally" and was not directing it at the police.

Mitchell's explanation may raise questions about the statement he issued on Thursday night when the Sun reported that he had sworn at police and had called them "plebs". In the statement, Mitchell said he did not accept he had used the words attributed to him. One of those words was "fucking".

The Sun reported Mitchell as saying: "Best you learn your fucking place. You don't run this fucking government. You're fucking plebs." The newspaper also reported a witness as saying that Mitchell had described police as "morons".

The Liberal Democrats declined to call for his resignation. But Nick Clegg told the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1: "I think that civility, being courteous to the police is important at all times. But of course it's especially important given the tragic events – the killing of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes."

Words fail me.

[PeZook]

Man, insulting and denigrating the people charged with protecting you. Not only is this classy, but also totally not dangerous at all

[Crazedwraith]

Did the Guardian actually do ny of their own reorting for this? It's all, 'The Sun claims this', 'the sun claims that', 'Mitchell says the other .'

Yeah, policeman should not be abused for doing their jobs, but seriously the opposition is milking this for all its worth. I'm sure the policeman have heard naughty words before. Guy should apologise definately but resign? Really? If he actually had authority over the police or somthing I could see that. But not this guy.

[K. A. Pital]

You don't say "Plebs" to people. You just don't, lest people call for the good doctor's invention.

[PeZook]

Yeah, policeman should not be abused for doing their jobs, but seriously the opposition is milking this for all its worth. I'm sure the policeman have heard naughty words before. Guy should apologise definately but resign? Really? If he actually had authority over the police or somthing I could see that. But not this guy.

He's an MP, isn't he? I know most people think politicians are scumbags, but why the hell not slam them with some sort of punishment if they conduct themselves in a manner that shows they think the common man is beneath them and should do as they're told?

Of course, the opposition wants to milk it for political reasons, and the police aren't exactly The People as a whole...but so what?

[Zaune]

Did the Guardian actually do any of their own reporting for this? It's all, 'The Sun claims this', 'the Sun claims that', 'Mitchell says the other.'

Feel free to track down the original if you have the stomach to look at their website.

Incidentally, while I'm very familiar with the Sun's history of making stories up out of whole cloth (my dad's family are from Liverpool), this sounds like exactly the sort of thing a senior Conservative party official would do.

He's an MP, isn't he? I know most people think politicians are scumbags, but why the hell not slam them with some sort of punishment if they conduct themselves in a manner that shows they think the common man is beneath them and should do as they're told?

Because his constituents think and feel very much the same way? I'm not terribly familiar with the demographics of his constituency, but important cabinet positions are not generally handed out to Members in marginal seats.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

Ahh... shit. Is there anything the British upper class enjoys more than insulting those under them?

[Zixinus]

Not really much, aside that a politician said a stupid thing and the media having a circus over it.

Ahh... shit. Is there anything the British upper class enjoys more than insulting those under them?

Lording over them and making it clear who is the master and who is the servant.

That, and inbreeding it seems. At least, that's what I heard about their dogs.

[PREDATOR490]

Not surprised.... I flicked through channels last night and ended up on Dave with a comedy show.

Guest appearance: Some smarmy twat that teaches etiquette for British royalty.
The comedian was taking the utter piss out of him as this twit tries to make him speak properly, stand up straight, wave like the queen...oh and shake hands like royalty.
The crowd was NOT amused when the comedian tried to shake his hand casually and the twit's response:
The Queen etc. has to offer their hand for you to shake it and commoners do not shake their hand
*Crowd hisses and boos*
Twit: It is true, if your not royalty your a commoner. This is the proper term.


The fuckers confused reaction to the people being pissed at him was depressingly funny. Why are you mad at me for pointing out your beneath us... ?
Cant say I am that surprised with the politicians having the same mindset even towards the guys that keep the safe from all those common rabble. How dare you not open the gate for me when I tell you to... I run the government dont you know !

[Zixinus]

Out of curiosity, are police officers in Britain armed? Even with just batons or tasers? Because then the question becomes "Why are you insulting the person who has a big stick he can beat you with?"

[Crazedwraith]

These were dudes guarding Downing Street. IE) The Prime Minister's residence/offices. Pretty they sure they're armed, possibly even with firearms.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure they'd be in worse trouble than this guy if they'd responded to these insults with a beating.

[Zaune]

Out of curiosity, are police officers in Britain armed? Even with just batons or tasers? Because then the question becomes "Why are you insulting the person who has a big stick he can beat you with?"

Batons and CS or pepper-spray are standard issue, and tasers are slowly being rolled out; every force has its own policy, but I think you have to have a certain amount of experience and a clean disciplinary record before you can take the qualifications.
That said, Crazwswraith is right. They can certainly arrest someone on a public order offence for getting mouthy, which is bad enough if you're in a job that requires any kind of criminal records check, but use of excessive force in doing so tends to come back to haunt them. All those CCTV cameras are good for that much.

[Sharp-kun]

These were dudes guarding Downing Street. IE) The Prime Minister's residence/offices. Pretty they sure they're armed, possibly even with firearms.

I was outside Downing Street back in 2003 or so and they had guns.

The letterbox is fake. I tried to peer in.

[Ultonius]

Twit: It is true, if your not royalty your a commoner. This is the proper term.

If that's an accurate quote it suggests that he didn't know what he was talking about. Everyone except the monarch and peers are commoners. Prince Harry is a commoner, since he is not a peer, and Prince William was a commoner until he was given a peerage just prior to his marriage.

[PeZook]

Out of curiosity, are police officers in Britain armed? Even with just batons or tasers? Because then the question becomes "Why are you insulting the person who has a big stick he can beat you with?"

It's a bit more subtle than that. Police are enforcers, and as such the most important of the peons. It's more like denigrating and insulting the man who patrols your manor at night ; He probably won't kill you himself, but your life and property is still in his hands.

[streetad]

You don't have to be upper-class to be a pompous over-entitled gasbag who feels that they shouldn't have to abide by 'petty' rules like 'please don't cycle on the pavement'. Being a Government Minister probably helps to avoid spending a night in the cells to teach you a lesson though....

[Edi]

Out of curiosity, are police officers in Britain armed? Even with just batons or tasers? Because then the question becomes "Why are you insulting the person who has a big stick he can beat you with?"

It's a bit more subtle than that. Police are enforcers, and as such the most important of the peons. It's more like denigrating and insulting the man who patrols your manor at night ; He probably won't kill you himself, but your life and property is still in his hands.

And in a situation like that, the fact of the matter is that if the orders are to only let through people who fulfill certain criteria, failing to follow orders is grounds for disciplinary measures.

The first rule of security checkpoints of any kind is that the person manning the checkpoint is god, king and high priest all rolled into one and if you get shirty with them, you're likely to end up in handcuffs no matter who you are. If he did say what was attributed to him, getting sent off with a verbal warning and there just being an incident report was getting off really lightly.

[Dartzap]

Plebeian resigns

Labour has accused David Cameron of weak leadership for failing to dismiss Andrew Mitchell as government chief whip before his resignation.

The Tory MP admitted swearing at officers during a Downing Street confrontation but denied calling them "plebs".

He told the prime minister, who had stood by him, that "damaging publicity" meant he could no longer do his job.

Former Commons leader Sir George Young is to become the new chief whip.

Michael Dugher, the shadow minister without portfolio, said the episode would damage the PM.

He said: "David Cameron's complete refusal to act and refusal to take this seriously, I think, has left him looking completely weak, but also totally out of touch.

"It's looked, once again, like it's one rule for ministers and one rule for everyone else."

But Education Secretary Michael Gove defended Mr Cameron, saying one of the reasons he was an "outstanding leader" was because he "believes in backing those who work for him".

"He is not someone who, at the first whiff of trouble, abandons those who have pledged their loyalty to him," he said.

Mr Mitchell's resignation on Friday evening had been sought by the Police Federation as well as Labour.

'Very sorry'
It marked the end of a 25-year political career for the Sutton Coldfield MP, who was promoted from international development secretary to chief whip in September's cabinet reshuffle.

In his resignation letter, Mr Mitchell, 56, said: "It has become clear to me that whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter I will not be able to fulfil my duties as we both would wish."

He repeats his "categorical assurance" that he did not call police officers "plebs" - as alleged in a police report on the incident.

But he adds: "The offending comment and the reason for my apology to the police was my parting remark 'I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us'.

"It was obviously wrong of me to use such bad language and I am very sorry about it and grateful to the police officer for accepting my apology."

Mr Mitchell - whose job was to maintain discipline on the Conservative benches - was thrust into the spotlight when The Sun accused him in a front page story of calling police "plebs".

His outburst came after armed police stopped him from cycling through the main Downing Street gate, instead directing him to the smaller pedestrian gate.

He is reported to have used foul language and told an officer to "learn your place" and "you don't run this government".

The officer concerned reported the incident to his superiors and the official police log, which appeared to contradict Mr Mitchell's story, was later leaked to the media.

'Hugely exaggerated'
Mr Mitchell came under intense pressure from the Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - and which refused to accept his version of events.

The MP stayed away from the Conservative Party conference in an attempt to defuse the row.

His fate is believed to have been sealed on Wednesday, when deputy chief whip John Randall reportedly had to be talked out of quitting in protest at his determination to cling on.

In his letter of reply to Mr Mitchell, Mr Cameron said he "understood" why he was resigning, adding: "I regret this has become necessary."

BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the chief whip "fell victim to his past behaviour, with too few people prepared to defend him, the tough guy paid for just being too tough".

Paul McKeever, chairman of the 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 Mitchell's resignation seemed almost inevitable."

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said the incident had been "hugely exaggerated".

"Somebody lost his temper. Frankly, big deal. All sorts of people lose their temper in their daily lives, it's part of human nature," he told BBC's Newsnight.

The curse of My Full Confidence strikes again!

[Zaune]

Funny how this just happens to be announced in the immediate aftermath of this little escapade, isn't it?