Downing Street today strongly defended Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood’s role in the Plebgate storm and hit out at a Commons committee.
No 10 said the senior civil servant’s review into the affair had strengthened Andrew Mitchell’s position as Chief Whip, rather than leading to his resignation.
Mr Mitchell quit as Chief Whip in October following a clash with police officers in Downing Street.
He was accused of calling them “f***ing plebs” after they refused to open the main gates so he could leave on his bike. Mr Mitchell strongly denies using these words.
David Cameron asked Sir Jeremy to investigate emails received by Deputy Chief Whip John Randall which seemed to corroborate the police’s version of the incident.
The Cabinet Secretary concluded, after having viewed CCTV footage, that the emails were not reliable, and recommended the Prime Minister keep Mr Mitchell in his post.
But a Channel 4 News investigation discovered the sender of the email was a police officer, not a member of the public. The Metropolitan Police has since made several arrests, including those of police officers, as it has investigated the incident.
MPs on the Commons public administration committee have criticised Sir Jeremy’s handing of the review, arguing that it should have been done by the independent adviser on ministers’ interests.
They also suggested the police should have been called in to probe the emails.
But Downing Street dismissed the committee’s report as a “partial account” of the review.
No 10 said it was “disappointing” that the MPs had not highlighted restrictions Sir Jeremy faced in providing evidence, given that there was an ongoing police inquiry.
The Government also said it was “disappointed” that “prejudicial summaries” of the report were briefed to newspapers before publication.
