Mitchell outburst ‘unacceptable’

Published on 26/09/2012 00:42

THE Prime Minister called
Andrew Mitchell in for a face-to-face meeting after news of his outburst against police broke on Friday, it was revealed last night.

It is understood David Cameron told the Tory chief whip his behaviour was unacceptable, but Mr Mitchell said he did not use the words attributed to him in reports.

However, he accepted he needed to apologise. Police claim he called them “plebs”, an accusation the MP denies. Earlier, London mayor Boris Johnson gave his backing to the police
officers, who threatened to arrest Mr Mitchell during the row at the gate into Downing Street.

Mr Johnson said the warning – disclosed in the official police log of the incident – showed the “gravity” of the chief whip’s conduct. His intervention again frustrated attempts by No10 to close down the issue after days of damaging media coverage.