Tory Andrew Mitchell pressured in Commons over swearing at police

Conservative politician Andrew Mitchell insists he did not swear at Downing Street police...

15:18 18 October 2012

The Tory Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell came under renewed pressure on Wednesday night in the House of Commons, after allegedly swearing at police the month before. Mr. Mitchell now claims he did not swear.

 

During the PM’s Question Time Mr. Mitchell was seen mouthing the words “I didn’t swear”, as reported by the Mail Online, as he faced pressure from Tory back benchers. They are understood to have questioned Mr. Mitchell’s career following the event.

 

During this week’s heated debate, Labour’s Ed Miliband referred negatively to the Chief Whip’s position saying “he’s toast.”

 

According to previous reports, Mr. Mitchell admitted to swearing at police at Downing Street around the time of the incident, but denied the words he was said to have used.

 

This relates to him having to use a side gate rather than the main entrance at Downing Street for his bike. He apparently swore at the officers as he wanted to use the main through-way.

 

Stuart Hinton from Warwickshire Police Federation has used Twitter to exclaim that Mr. Mitchell was guilty of swearing at the police officers, as one tweet read “he told us he DID swear!”

 

Prime Minister David Cameron faces criticism from some over the fact that a member of the public would be arrested if they were to swear at police, yet Mr. Mitchell so far remains unscathed.

 

The concerns relate to “double standards” – as quoted by The Sun – as Mr. Mitchell has not been sacked from his office.