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 had concerns over the welfare of the officers involved in the row.
Ex-chief whip and Tory MP Andrew Mitchell has told the Sunday Times he was the victim of a ploy to "toxify" the Tories.
He has denied calling police officers "plebs" but was forced to resign.
In the newspaper article, Mr Mitchell recounted his version of the alleged altercation outside the main gates of Downing Street on 19 September.
'Stitch-up'He admits swearing after a police officer refused to let him exit through the main gate with his bicycle, but not directly at the officer, and insists he did not lose his temper or "rail against police".
He said the content of an email about the incident sent to the deputy chief whip John Randall was "completely untrue" and left him "devastated" and the victim of a "stitch up".
He added: "These awful toxic phrases which were hung round my neck for weeks and weeks in a sustained attempt to toxify the Conservative Party and destroy my career were completely and totally untrue."
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 after allegedly giving a false account of the incident.
- 19 September - Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell allegedly calls police officers "plebs" during argument in Downing Street
- 20 September - The story is revealed in the Sun
- 21 September - Mr Mitchell denies using word "plebs" but apologises for being disrespectful to police
- 17 October - Labour leader Ed Miliband says Mr Mitchell is "toast", as poor media coverage continues
- 19 October - Mr Mitchell resigns
- 15 December - Police officer arrested on suspicion of misconduct
- 18 December - CCTV coverage casts doubt on police officers' version of events
- 19 December - 23-year-old man arrested
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 Mr Randall who then 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.
In a statement, the Met said that Mr Hogan-Howe would use his return from leave to "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 - which is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission - and was determined to leave "no stone unturned".
A second man, a 23-year old member of the public, was arrested last week in connection with the incident. He has been released on bail.
'Fabricated evidence'The Police Federation has 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 prime minister meanwhile 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 suggesting the possibility of "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."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Met boss returns amid 'plebgate' row
Dengan url
http://sarapanoatmeal.blogspot.com/2012/12/met-boss-returns-amid-plebgate-row.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Met boss returns amid 'plebgate' row
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Met boss returns amid 'plebgate' row
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar