Detective accused of giving misleading account of Plebgate meeting
UK News
Detective accused of giving misleading account of Plebgate meeting
A police officer accused of giving a misleading account of a "Plebgate" meeting praised MP Andrew Mitchell for his "candour" – only to later tell the media the politician had been evasive, a tribunal has heard. Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton and two other Police Federation representatives met the Tory MP at his constituency offices in October 2012, three weeks after Mr Mitchell was involved in a high-profile incident with Met Police officers in Downing Street. A recording of the meeting with the Sutton Coldfield MP played to the tribunal heard that Mr Mitchell had opened the meeting with an apology saying he was "profoundly, deeply sorry".
He (Mr Mitchell) still won't say exactly what he did say, which suggests that the officer's account is more likely to be the accurate one.
What Det Sgt Hinton told BBC radio the next day
Mr Hinton then asked him for his account of what he had said to officers at the gates of Downing Street. The MP replied: "I did not say - and I give you my word - I did not call an officer a f****** pleb, and that you should know your f****** place." Mr Mitchell also said: "I complied with the officer and picked up my bicycle and, you know, but I did say, you know, under my breath but audibly - in frustration, 'I thought you lot were supposed to f****** help us' - I did say that and it is for that I apologise." However, Det Sgt HInton went on radio the next day to say Mr Mitchell had been evasive in his answers. A misconduct panel has been convened to hear an allegation that the officer breached the force's professional standards of honesty, integrity and conduct. Mr Hinton denies any wrong-doing.
The key controversy in this case surrounds exercising of judgment as to whether Sgt Hinton gave a misleading account regarding the meeting with Mr Mitchell, rather than facts or witnesses' statements being in dispute.
Aaron Rathmell, leading the case against the officer
