Cameron condemns Mitchell’s tirade against police

David Cameron condemned his chief whip over a reportedly foul-mouthed rant at Downing Street police officers who would not let him cycle out of the street’s main gate.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales added to criticism, saying it would be difficult for Mr Mitchell to continue to hold public office.

His colleague from the Metropolitan Police Federation, John Tully, went further, saying: He should resign. As a cabinet minister it’s unacceptable for someone of his standing to use such disrespectful and abusive language to a police constable, let alone anyone else.

“If the shoe was on the other foot and my officer had said those things, he’d be out of a job now. It’s double standards.”

The Sun reported that Mr Mitchell had called the officers “morons” and “f****** plebs”.

Mr Mitchell, who was appointed chief whip in David Cameron‘s recent cabinet reshuffle, apologised for not treating the police officers who tried to stop him leaving the main gate at Downing Street “with the respect they deserve”. But he denies using the words reported in the Sun during the incident on Wednesday night. He said he has apologised to the supervising sergeant and to the police officer involved.

The lack of regard that some within government appear to hold police officers in is especially disappointing during this tragic week for the service. Paul McKeever, Police Federation of England and Wales

Speaking on a visit to Greater Manchester Police headquarters in the wake of the murders of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, Mr Cameron said that Mr Mitchell’s behaviour had been “wrong” and “inappropriate”, but stressed that he had apologised.

Asked if he would stand by Mr Mitchell or sack him, Mr Cameron said: “What Andrew Mitchell said and what he did was not appropriate. It was wrong and it is right that he has apologised.”

He said that police do an “outstanding” job and that they should “always have our respect”.

‘Half-hearted apology’

Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever aid it was “hard to fathom how someone who holds the police in such contempt could be allowed to hold a public office”, adding that the timing of the comments – just after two police officers were killed in Manchester – was particularly damaging.

“Mr Mitchell’s half-hearted apology for the comments made whilst leaving Downing Street will do little to build bridges with the police, who feel they have once again been treated with a lack of respect and civility by members of this government,” he said.

Who is Andrew Mitchell?
Former army officer and banker Andrew Mitchell has a long history within the Conservative party. His father, Sir David, served as a Conservative minister under Margaret Thatcher, and he was government whip during the notorious Tory rebellion over the Maastricht Treaty

Known as “Thrasher” while attending the prestigious Rugby public school, Mr Mitchell has made no secret of his competitive streak and ambition, and has admitted to being a “stern disciplinarian”. He is described as “highly intelligent” and a keen political survivor in a Conservative Home article by Paul Goodman, former MP and executive editor of the website, who adds: “Mr Mitchell has the feel and flavour of a Conservative MP from the era of Francis Urquhart, which indeed was when he was first elected.”

His appointment as chief whip from the department for international development was seen as a risky move, according to one source close to the Conservative party – not just because of his previous record during the Maastricht, he said, but because of his perceived arrogance and sense of entitlement, which is unlikely to win him any allies.

Pressure is already building on Mr Mitchell, with Labour and the Police Federation calling on him to go. But the question is if, whether he stays, he will have the respect of the rebellious Tory backbenchers he is supposed to be reining in.

‘Utter disgrace’

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper questioned Andrew Mitchell’s future and called on the government to clarify what was said during his rant at Downing Street police officers.Ms Cooper said this apology was not good enough, branding the reported outburst an “utter disgrace”, and questioning how Mr Mitchell could do the job of chief whip if he could not keep his temper in check.

“These are appalling reports. No one should treat police officers or public servants in this way,” she said. “And the idea that a Cabinet minister could behave like this towards police officers doing their job is an utter disgrace. It tells you all you need to know about this out-of-touch Government and its attitude to public servants.”

The idea that a Cabinet minister could behave like this towards police officers doing their job is an utter disgrace. Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary

“How can a chief whip hope to do his job or instil respect when he behaves like this and can’t even keep his cool?” she added.

Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Tebbit said that Mr Mitchell’s comments were “extraordinarily stupid” and urged Mr Cameron to have a “heart-to-heart talk” with his new chief whip.

Writing in his blog for The Daily Telegraph website, Lord Tebbit said: “Andrew Mitchell’s outburst against a policeman strikes me as extraordinarily stupid.”

He said that the prime minister must be worried that Mr Mitchell is unable to deal with the pressure of the job: “The worry for the prime minister must be that the pressures on Mr Mitchell look to be slightly more than he can take. They should have a heart-to-heart talk before very long.”