Top Mandarin turns down plea for full inquiry into chief whip’s tirade

Demands for a full Whitehall investigation into Andrew Mitchell’s angry confrontation with Downing Street police were rejected last night by the Government’s top civil servant.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood said he agreed with the Prime Minister that there would be no “purpose” in a probe after Mr Mitchell apologised for the incident, in which he reportedly swore at police officers. Today the official police log of the incident is published by the Daily Telegraph, recording the Chief Whip as describing officers as “plebs”.

The report describes Mr Mitchell speaking to a female officer and “demanding exit through the main vehicle gate into Whitehall”.

He was told that it was “policy” for cyclists to use the pedestrian gate. “Mr Mitchell refused, stating he was the Chief Whip and he always used the main gates,” the report goes on.

“After several refusals Mr Mitchell got off his bike and walked to the pedestrian gate with me after I again offered to open that for him.

“There were several members of public present as is the norm opposite the pedestrian gate and as we neared it, Mr Mitchell said: ‘Best you learn your ******* place...you don’t run this ******* government...You’re ******* plebs.’

“The members of public looked visibly shocked and I was somewhat taken aback by the language used and the view expressed by a senior government official.”

Earlier Mr Mitchell appeared before the cameras for the first time to apologise publicly, but made it clear he did not accept he 
had used the words attributed to him.

Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation John Tully said he was effectively accusing the officers involved of lying, and called on David Cameron to institute an inquiry.