Thursday 17th October

There are stories that flare up and die, there are stories that find it hard to die, and there are stories that refuse to die.  Who would have thought that a minor altercation in Downing Street, the road – not the PM’s residence, between a cyclist and a bobby would have such a grip on the nation’s media?  It has now been pronounced upon by Theresa May and David Cameron, and still is no nearer a resolution.

Andrew Mitchell was supposed to have been furious when told by one of our boys in blue to dismount, and according to PC Plod, called the police ‘fucking plebs.’  Now the use of fucking is not even blinked at, but the ‘P’ word is suddenly considered beyond the pale.  It typifies the supposed attitude of the rich and powerful towards us lesser human beings.   There was of course an almighty row about it.  Andrew Mitchell denies using the term ‘f…ing plebs’ at all, but to my certain knowledge he has never actually told us exactly what he did say.

They are now arguing about an account of a later interview between three members of the Police Federation and Mr. Mitchell, after which the Police suggested he should resign.  The story was getting really embarrassing and so Mr. Mitchell resigned, while still protesting his innocence.  The IPPC have investigated and said the police at the meeting should be disciplined, but their own Chief Constables have refused to do this.

You may be wondering what on earth it is all about, but as the PC (s) who first reported the alleged remarks are also being investigated we ain’t even started yet.  There is no doubt that someone or maybe more than one person is telling an untruth, or maybe they misheard, or maybe someone cannot remember clearly.  The real story is that for whatever political reasons the Government has decided to pick a fight with the Police.  Interesting times, as even Thatcher never did that.  But it could all be cleared up if only Mr. Mitchell would tell us what he really said.  Or is that just as bad, or even worse?