New inquiry into ‘Plebgate’ police officers
THREE police officers are to be investigated over the “Plebgate” scandal that forced MP Andrew Mitchell to resign as chief whip.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton, Inspector Ken MacKaill and Sergeant Chris Jones were accused of giving a misleading account of a private meeting with Mr Mitchell at the height of the row over whether he called Downing Street police “plebs”.
They said the Sutton Coldfield MP “refused to elaborate” on his late-night run-in with officers who stopped him taking his bicycle through the main gates.
Mr Mitchell resigned a week later amid political and public outrage, but a recording later came to light apparently contradicting their account.
Initially cleared of misconduct, last month the High Court ruled the decision invalid.
Now the Independent Police Complaints Commission is to carry out its own inquiry.