A police officer involved in Downing Street guard duties was facing a gross misconduct hearing today over the Andrew Mitchell “Plebgate” affair.
The woman constable is one of three officers — two women and a man — from the Diplomatic Protection Group facing misconduct hearings after an internal Met investigation into the incident. Mr Mitchell, then the Government chief whip, was involved in an argument with Pc Toby Rowland after he was prevented from cycling through the main vehicle gate of Downing Street in September 2012. Tory Mr Mitchell resigned after being accused by Pc Rowland of calling the officer a “f***ing pleb”. He has denied using the word “pleb”, but admits swearing.
Two officers have been sacked over the affair. Pc Keith Wallis was jailed for 12 months for fabricating a witness statement claiming to be from a member of the public and Pc James Glanville was fired for leaking Pc Rowland’s “f***ing plebs” version of events.
Pc Rowland has filed court papers seeking up to £200,000 in compensation from Mr Mitchell.
At today’s hearing the woman officer was accused of sending Pc Glanville a picture of an email sent by Pc Rowland to his supervisors and giving inaccurate statements to the police investigation.
