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Bob Geldof: Andrew Mitchell is a 'friend and good man' | Bob Geldof: Andrew Mitchell is a 'friend and good man' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Bob Geldof has described himself as a "pleb" as he defended his friend, the ex-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell. | Bob Geldof has described himself as a "pleb" as he defended his friend, the ex-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell. |
The Irish musician submitted a written statement to the so-called "plebgate" libel trial in defence of Mr Mitchell. | The Irish musician submitted a written statement to the so-called "plebgate" libel trial in defence of Mr Mitchell. |
In it, he said of the former chief whip: "I am... a pleb and he is not." | In it, he said of the former chief whip: "I am... a pleb and he is not." |
Mr Mitchell denies using the word and swearing at a police officer in September 2012 when he was prevented from leaving Downing Street on his bike via the main gates. | |
The altercation led to a front-page story in the Sun and a month later to Mr Mitchell's resignation from the government. | The altercation led to a front-page story in the Sun and a month later to Mr Mitchell's resignation from the government. |
He is suing News Group Newspapers for libel, but is himself being sued for comments he made following the incident about one of the officers on duty. | He is suing News Group Newspapers for libel, but is himself being sued for comments he made following the incident about one of the officers on duty. |
In one of a series of written statements produced by Mr Mitchell's legal team, Geldof described the MP as an "advocate for the less fortunate" and a "good man". | In one of a series of written statements produced by Mr Mitchell's legal team, Geldof described the MP as an "advocate for the less fortunate" and a "good man". |
"I came from a poor Irish, not particularly well educated background and he does not," he said. | "I came from a poor Irish, not particularly well educated background and he does not," he said. |
"I am in fact 'a pleb' and he is not. Never once in all our time did he patronise me, talk down to me, behave in a superior manner to me, deride, insult or dismiss me or my opinions." | "I am in fact 'a pleb' and he is not. Never once in all our time did he patronise me, talk down to me, behave in a superior manner to me, deride, insult or dismiss me or my opinions." |
Geldof said he had never heard the Conservative MP "use the ridiculous and archaic expression 'pleb'". | Geldof said he had never heard the Conservative MP "use the ridiculous and archaic expression 'pleb'". |
'Disgusting and discourteous' | 'Disgusting and discourteous' |
The court also heard written evidence from journalists, Mr Mitchell's political allies and the MP's decorator. | The court also heard written evidence from journalists, Mr Mitchell's political allies and the MP's decorator. |
Richard Robinson recalled working on Mr Mitchell's Nottinghamshire property in 1998, writing: "When the job was coming to an end he put on a barbecue for all that had worked on the site. | Richard Robinson recalled working on Mr Mitchell's Nottinghamshire property in 1998, writing: "When the job was coming to an end he put on a barbecue for all that had worked on the site. |
"That's only happened to me twice in 49 years of working - he did not have to do that." | "That's only happened to me twice in 49 years of working - he did not have to do that." |
Newspaper columnist Matthew d'Ancona said class had been an issue for the coalition government and for one of its ministers to use the term "pleb" would have been damaging. | Newspaper columnist Matthew d'Ancona said class had been an issue for the coalition government and for one of its ministers to use the term "pleb" would have been damaging. |
"I simply could not imagine him using such a disgusting and discourteous word," he added. | "I simply could not imagine him using such a disgusting and discourteous word," he added. |
PC Toby Rowland, who was on duty at the time, told the court he had not known who Mr Mitchell was but had seen him having an argument with a fellow officer. | PC Toby Rowland, who was on duty at the time, told the court he had not known who Mr Mitchell was but had seen him having an argument with a fellow officer. |
He had asked the MP not to swear, he said, adding that when Mr Mitchell left Downing Street the MP told him: "You haven't heard of the last of this." | He had asked the MP not to swear, he said, adding that when Mr Mitchell left Downing Street the MP told him: "You haven't heard of the last of this." |
PC Rowland added: "I warned him about his behaviour. He took this on board and stopped swearing." | PC Rowland added: "I warned him about his behaviour. He took this on board and stopped swearing." |
The trial is being heard by a judge who will rule on the two claims in a fortnight. | The trial is being heard by a judge who will rule on the two claims in a fortnight. |
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