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Scotland Yard urged to cede 'plebgate' investigation to IPCC after 'press leak' Scotland Yard urged to cede 'plebgate' investigation to IPCC after 'press leak'
(35 minutes later)
Scotland Yard was urged by a senior MP on Sunday to surrender control of the investigation into the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" affair after claims that information about its preliminary findings was leaked to newspapers. Scotland Yard was urged by a senior MP on Sunday to surrender control of the investigation into the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" affair after claims that information about its preliminary findings had been leaked to newspapers.
Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) should take charge of the inquiry into whether members of the force conspired to force Mitchell to resign as Conservative chief whip by falsely accusing him of calling officers "plebs" during a row at the gates of Downing Street.Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) should take charge of the inquiry into whether members of the force conspired to force Mitchell to resign as Conservative chief whip by falsely accusing him of calling officers "plebs" during a row at the gates of Downing Street.
Vaz spoke out after it emerged that Mitchell has submitted a formal complaint to the IPCC about reports in the Guardian and the Times at the end of last week saying that the police file passed to prosecutors about the affair contained no evidence that officers lied.Vaz spoke out after it emerged that Mitchell has submitted a formal complaint to the IPCC about reports in the Guardian and the Times at the end of last week saying that the police file passed to prosecutors about the affair contained no evidence that officers lied.
Mitchell, who admits losing his temper with officers but denies calling them "plebs", said the leak suggested there were elements in Scotland Yard still intent on destroying his career. Mitchell, who admits losing his temper with officers but denies calling them plebs, said the leak suggested there were elements in Scotland Yard still intent on destroying his career.
In a letter to the IPCC deputy chairwoman, Deborah Glass, he said he was deeply dismayed that Scotland Yard "appear to have leaked part of their report prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service to certain members of the press and spun it to the advantage of the police officers involved".In a letter to the IPCC deputy chairwoman, Deborah Glass, he said he was deeply dismayed that Scotland Yard "appear to have leaked part of their report prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service to certain members of the press and spun it to the advantage of the police officers involved".
He added: "This was an inquiry into a dishonest and illicit attempt to blacken my name and destroy my career. It would appear that this police inquiry continues precisely that process." Vaz said that he was very surprised that the police report had been leaked and that Mitchell was right to feel that he had been badly treated by the police.He added: "This was an inquiry into a dishonest and illicit attempt to blacken my name and destroy my career. It would appear that this police inquiry continues precisely that process." Vaz said that he was very surprised that the police report had been leaked and that Mitchell was right to feel that he had been badly treated by the police.
The home affairs committee had always thought that Scotland Yard should not be in charge of investigating its own officers and the latest development confirmed that, he said. He said the home affairs committee had always thought that Scotland Yard should not be in charge of investigating its own officers and the latest development confirmed that.
"This is a good opportunity for the IPCC to take over this investigation and use the information that has been gathered so far as background," he said. "We cannot have an investigation of this importance being done on the basis of leaks and innuendo." "This is a good opportunity for the IPCC to take over this investigation and use the information that has been gathered so far as background," Vaz said. "We cannot have an investigation of this importance being done on the basis of leaks and innuendo."
The allegation that Mitchell had called officers "plebs" ultimately led to his resignation as chief whip. However, after CCTV footage was broadcast casting doubt on the original account of what happened, Scotland Yard launched an investigation which led to the arrest of three Met diplomatic protection officers. The allegation that Mitchell had called officers "plebs" ultimately led to his resignation as chief whip. However, after CCTV footage was broadcast casting doubt on the original account of what happened, Scotland Yard launched an investigation that led to the arrest of three Met diplomatic protection officers.
If the IPCC decides there is some substance to Mitchell's complaint, it will have to decide whether its own independent investigators should try to find the source of the alleged leak, or whether the police should carry out the inquiries.If the IPCC decides there is some substance to Mitchell's complaint, it will have to decide whether its own independent investigators should try to find the source of the alleged leak, or whether the police should carry out the inquiries.
One of IPCC's first tasks is to examine the file submitted last week by the Met to prosecutors to see if the media reports were correct that it contained no evidence that police lied about the confrontation with Mitchell. One of IPCC's first tasks is to examine the file submitted last week by the Met to prosecutors, to see if the media reports were correct that it contained no evidence that police lied about the confrontation with Mitchell.
IPCC investigations can lead to internal police disciplinary cases or criminal charges such as misconduct in public office.IPCC investigations can lead to internal police disciplinary cases or criminal charges such as misconduct in public office.
The criticism from Mitchell and other senior Tories underscores the poor, and at times poisonous, relationship between sections of the police and the Conservative party. A host of issues have led to a deterioration in relations, from government cuts to police pay and conditions, with officers feeling their worth and work has been denigrated.The criticism from Mitchell and other senior Tories underscores the poor, and at times poisonous, relationship between sections of the police and the Conservative party. A host of issues have led to a deterioration in relations, from government cuts to police pay and conditions, with officers feeling their worth and work has been denigrated.
In 2008 the Conservatives were infuriated when the Met arrested the shadow immigration minister at the time, Damian Green, as police tried to hunt down the source of leaks from within the Home Office. Green was not charged and Tory anger eventually helped to oust Bob Quick, the police chief who oversaw the arrest and the country's most senior counter-terrorism officer. Green is now minister of state for policing and criminal justice.In 2008 the Conservatives were infuriated when the Met arrested the shadow immigration minister at the time, Damian Green, as police tried to hunt down the source of leaks from within the Home Office. Green was not charged and Tory anger eventually helped to oust Bob Quick, the police chief who oversaw the arrest and the country's most senior counter-terrorism officer. Green is now minister of state for policing and criminal justice.
On Sunday the Met referred inquiries to the IPCC, who in turn only would confirm that they had received Mitchell's complaint.On Sunday the Met referred inquiries to the IPCC, who in turn only would confirm that they had received Mitchell's complaint.