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Man arrested in 'plebgate' probe Man arrested in 'plebgate' probe
(35 minutes later)
A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" investigation, Scotland Yard has said. A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" investigation.
The man, who is not a member of police staff, has been released on bail. The man, who is not a member of police staff, has been released on bail, Scotland Yard said.
Mr Mitchell resigned from the cabinet after it was alleged he called police officers in Downing Street "plebs". Mr Mitchell resigned as government chief whip after it was alleged he called Downing Street police "plebs".
Tory MP Mr Mitchell has always denied using the word and friends say the release of CCTV footage has cast doubt on the original accounts. The Conservative MP has always denied using the word and friends say the release of CCTV footage has cast doubt on the original accounts.
The man was arrested at around 2000 GMT on Wednesday "on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence on or around 14 December". The man was arrested at around 2000 GMT on Wednesday "on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence on or around" last Friday.
It was the second arrest in the inquiry, after a Diplomatic Protection Squad officer was arrested on Saturday for alleged misconduct in public office. BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said this had been "about the time police received fresh information about it [Plebgate]".
Thirty Metropolitan Police officers are working on the investigation into claims that someone on the force gave false evidence over the "plebgate" affair. 'Gutter language'
Channel 4 News has alleged that an officer sent an email, purporting to be from a member of the public who witnessed the row between Mr Mitchell and police in Downing Street in September. The offence allegedly took place a day before a Diplomatic Protection Squad officer was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
But the Met said the latest arrest was not over allegations of "conspiracy" to give false information about the argument between Mr Mitchell and police in September.
Thirty officers are working on the investigation into claims that someone on the force gave false evidence over the incident.
Earlier this week Channel 4 News alleged that an officer had sent an email purporting to be from a member of the public who had witnessed the row.
The email was sent to Deputy Chief Whip John Randall, who passed it on to No 10. It contained claims that Mr Mitchell "shouted obscenities" and used "gutter language", adding that people watching were "appalled", with some possibly "inadvertently" filming what was going on.The email was sent to Deputy Chief Whip John Randall, who passed it on to No 10. It contained claims that Mr Mitchell "shouted obscenities" and used "gutter language", adding that people watching were "appalled", with some possibly "inadvertently" filming what was going on.
But CCTV coverage suggests there were few, if any, members of the public within earshot of Mr Mitchell, the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield.But CCTV coverage suggests there were few, if any, members of the public within earshot of Mr Mitchell, the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield.
The prime minister has said: "A police officer posing as a member of the public and sending an email potentially to blacken the name of a cabinet minister is a very serious issue and does need to be seriously investigated." A senior Downing Street source told the BBC that Mr Mitchell was in a "much stronger position" following the latest developments in the plebgate story.
His friends have urged David Cameron to restore him to office, with some Tory MPs complaining that the prime minister should have moved more quickly to try to exonerate his former cabinet colleague.
Mr Cameron told the Commons on Wednesday: "A police officer posing as a member of the public and sending an email potentially to blacken the name of a cabinet minister is a very serious issue and does need to be seriously investigated."
And the Met says it is taking the issue "extremely seriously".And the Met says it is taking the issue "extremely seriously".
Mr Mitchell has admitted swearing at officers. He resigned from the government in October, following several weeks of criticism in the media.