This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20829901
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Met boss Hogan-Howe returns from leave amid 'plebgate' concerns | Met boss Hogan-Howe returns from leave amid 'plebgate' concerns |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Metropolitan Police commissioner has temporarily returned from his Christmas holiday to deal with concerns raised by the "plebgate" affair. | The Metropolitan Police commissioner has temporarily returned from his Christmas holiday to deal with concerns raised by the "plebgate" affair. |
| Scotland Yard said Bernard Hogan-Howe has concerns over the welfare of the officers involved in the row. | Scotland Yard said Bernard Hogan-Howe has concerns over the welfare of the officers involved in the row. |
| It follows the resignation of chief whip Andrew Mitchell, who denies calling police officers "plebs". | It follows the resignation of chief whip Andrew Mitchell, who denies calling police officers "plebs". |
| Meanwhile, No 10 has defended David Cameron's handling of the row, saying the PM had "stood behind" Mr Mitchell. | Meanwhile, No 10 has defended David Cameron's handling of the row, saying the PM had "stood behind" Mr Mitchell. |
| 'No stone unturned' | 'No stone unturned' |
| In a statement, the Met added that Mr Hogan-Howe would "take the opportunity to be briefed on any developments with the investigation". | In a statement, the Met added that Mr Hogan-Howe would "take the opportunity to be briefed on any developments with the investigation". |
| It said the commissioner was "maintaining an open mind" regarding the conclusions of the investigation and was determined to leave "no stone unturned". | It said the commissioner was "maintaining an open mind" regarding the conclusions of the investigation and was determined to leave "no stone unturned". |
| A serving Met police constable was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on 15 December and has been suspended from the force. | |
| He is alleged to have given a false account of the row at the Downing Street gates. The officer claimed Mr Mitchell called the officers "plebs" after they would not let him leave with his bicycle through the main gate. | |
| Channel 4 News claimed the off-duty officer sent an email, purporting to be from a member of the public who witnessed the row, to the deputy chief whip John Randall who the subsequently passed it to No 10. | |
| CCTV footage of the incident suggests no-one other than the officers involved were within earshot of the altercation. | |
| A second man, a 23-year old member of the public, was arrested the following Wednesday in connection with the incident. He has been released on bail. | |
| The Police Federation has meanwhile launched a review into its handling of the row, following controversy over officers in the West Midlands who allegedly campaigned against Mr Mitchell. | |
| The federation - which represents the concerns of rank-and-file officers - will appoint an independent figure to carry out the inquiry in the new year. | The federation - which represents the concerns of rank-and-file officers - will appoint an independent figure to carry out the inquiry in the new year. |
| 'Fabricated evidence' | |
| The Prime Minister has rejected criticism said to come from allies of Mr Mitchell, who claimed in newspapers that Mr Cameron left his Tory colleague "swinging in the wind". | |
| A spokesman for the PM said he had "deep sympathy" for the former chief whip after claims emerged that a serving police officer may have "fabricated evidence against him". | |
| He added: "The Prime Minister stood behind his chief whip through weeks of growing demands to sack him. It was only when it became clear that he could no longer do his job that his resignation was accepted with reluctance. | |
| "The Prime Minister, and Andrew Mitchell, were deeply shocked to be informed that the police were investigating allegations that a serving police officer had lied about the events." |