Plebs row Tory gives
£8,250 to charities

The former chief whip, who quit last week over his notorious confrontation with Downing Street police, has decided to distribute the severance money to charities in his constituency.

It is understood that Sutton Coldfield RNLI, Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets and Sutton Coldfield Parkinson’s Society will share the bulk of the cash.

A friend said: “Andrew is president of all three societies, and he is taking this opportunity to help them.”

There had been calls for the Tory MP to hand the money to a police charity after he admitted swearing at officers who refused to let him cycle through the main gates outside Number 10 last month.

Mr Mitchell finally fell on his sword last Friday after admitting that the row had made his position untenable.

However, he still denies branding officers “plebs” on September 19.