'Plebgate' Officer Admits Misconduct

A Met police officer has admitted to misconduct in public office over the "plebgate" scandal.

53-year-old PC Keith Wallis admitted to falsely claiming to have witnessed a row between the then-cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell and police in September 2012.

"Plebgate" occurred when another police officer, Toby Rowland, stopped Mr Mitchell from cycling through Downing Street's main gates. The incident ultimately resulted in Mr Mitchell's resignation from his post. Mitchell later admitted that he did swear during the altercation, but denied he swore directly at the police or used the word "pleb".

Following the run in, PC Wallis sent an email to his local MP saying he had witnessed the row. However, it was quickly discovered that he had not been at the scene and had not been a witness to the events.

Attending the Old Bailey on Friday, PC Wallis said he understood the charges he faced. He pleaded guilty and was bailed for sentencing on 6 February.

Speaking after the verdict, Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "I would also like to apologise to Mr Mitchell that an MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] officer clearly lied about seeing him behaving in a certain manner.

"I will be writing to him offering to meet and apologise in person.

"I expect my officers to serve the public without fear or favour, where officers break the law they must expect to be held to account and answer for what they have done."

Mr Mitchell, who is a Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, commented: "I am pleased that justice has been done in a criminal court today.

"It is very sad and worrying for all of us that a serving police officer should have behaved in this way.

"There remain many questions unanswered, in particular why PC Wallis wrote this email and who else was involved in this process."

(JP/IT)