This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/30/plebgate-row-police-officer-sacked-leaks-press

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Plebgate row: police officer sacked over leaks to the press Plebgate row: police officer sacked over leaks to the press
(about 11 hours later)
One of the police officers who was at Downing Street on the night of the altercation with the then chief whip, Andrew Mitchell, has been sacked by the Metropolitan police for leaking information to the media.One of the police officers who was at Downing Street on the night of the altercation with the then chief whip, Andrew Mitchell, has been sacked by the Metropolitan police for leaking information to the media.
Gillian Weatherley was on duty on 19 September 2012, with PC Toby Rowland, when Mitchell tried to cycle through the gates and engaged in an argument with the officers when he was told to dismount and walk through.Gillian Weatherley was on duty on 19 September 2012, with PC Toby Rowland, when Mitchell tried to cycle through the gates and engaged in an argument with the officers when he was told to dismount and walk through.
Weatherley was investigated by Operation Alice, the Met police investigation into the Plebgate affair. The director of public prosecutions advised that no one should be charged over the leaking of the incident, because it was likely a jury would decide it was in the public interest for the events at the gate to be made public.Weatherley was investigated by Operation Alice, the Met police investigation into the Plebgate affair. The director of public prosecutions advised that no one should be charged over the leaking of the incident, because it was likely a jury would decide it was in the public interest for the events at the gate to be made public.
But after a gross misconduct hearing into Weatherley's actions, a Met police panel has decided the case against her was proven and said she had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, orders, instructions and confidentiality.But after a gross misconduct hearing into Weatherley's actions, a Met police panel has decided the case against her was proven and said she had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, orders, instructions and confidentiality.
The panel found that Weatherley, one of the two officers on duty that night, spoke to another diplomatic protection officer, James Glanville, the following day and sent him a photograph of an email sent by Rowland to his supervisors about what took place. Weatherley then exchanged 12 text messages with Glanville over the next two days, which she later deleted.The panel found that Weatherley, one of the two officers on duty that night, spoke to another diplomatic protection officer, James Glanville, the following day and sent him a photograph of an email sent by Rowland to his supervisors about what took place. Weatherley then exchanged 12 text messages with Glanville over the next two days, which she later deleted.
Glanville was sacked in February for gross misconduct for passing information to the Sun. He also provided the newspaper with a copy of Rowland's email describing the confrontation to his superiors.Glanville was sacked in February for gross misconduct for passing information to the Sun. He also provided the newspaper with a copy of Rowland's email describing the confrontation to his superiors.
The panel also found that Weatherley gave misleading and inaccurate statements to detectives on Operation Alice.The panel also found that Weatherley gave misleading and inaccurate statements to detectives on Operation Alice.
Weatherley had been suspended since her arrest in February. Mitchell resigned as chief whip in the wake of the controversy.Weatherley had been suspended since her arrest in February. Mitchell resigned as chief whip in the wake of the controversy.
Rowland continues his libel action against Mitchell, who has accused him publicly of lying about the dispute between the two men at the gates of Downing Street. Papers submitted to the high court reveal Rowland is seeking damages of up to £200,000 from the former chief whip.Rowland continues his libel action against Mitchell, who has accused him publicly of lying about the dispute between the two men at the gates of Downing Street. Papers submitted to the high court reveal Rowland is seeking damages of up to £200,000 from the former chief whip.
He claims Mitchell swore at the police and called them "fucking plebs" – words Mitchell has denied using. Rowland emailed his superiors after the incident because he feared repercussions as a result of the altercation.He claims Mitchell swore at the police and called them "fucking plebs" – words Mitchell has denied using. Rowland emailed his superiors after the incident because he feared repercussions as a result of the altercation.
Rowland said his reputation had been damaged by Mitchell's remarks and he suffered "great distress, humiliation and upset". He is seeking damages and aggravated damages for libel and, if appropriate, for slander.Rowland said his reputation had been damaged by Mitchell's remarks and he suffered "great distress, humiliation and upset". He is seeking damages and aggravated damages for libel and, if appropriate, for slander.
Rowland is not facing any disciplinary or criminal proceedings as a result of what took place in Downing Street.Rowland is not facing any disciplinary or criminal proceedings as a result of what took place in Downing Street.
Two further diplomatic protection officers also face the sack for gross misconduct in panels that will take place soon. Another officer, PC Keith Wallis, was jailed for a year in February after he admitted lying about witnessing the Plebgate row.Two further diplomatic protection officers also face the sack for gross misconduct in panels that will take place soon. Another officer, PC Keith Wallis, was jailed for a year in February after he admitted lying about witnessing the Plebgate row.
Mitchell said: "Disciplinary hearings in the Metropolitan police are held in private and therefore I am limited in what I can say – at this stage.
"What I can say today is that I felt the hearing was well-conducted.
"This gross misconduct hearing was in respect of police officer Gillian Weatherley, who first obstructed my exit from Downing Street on September 19 2012 in breach of clear instructions from the head of Downing Street security.
"I hope the transcript of the inquiry and its supporting evidence will be published in full in the interests of openness and accountability.
"This case has serious consequences for the government, the police and every citizen in this country."