“Plebgate” confusion

The “plebgate” affair in Britain is getting out of hand. There are two separate issues -- did the Conservative Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell swear at a Downing Street police officer and are some police officers guilty of what Mr Mitchell has called “a vile stitchup” to destroy his political career. The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the accusation which should be allowed to do its work but Mr Mitchell seems determined to muddy the waters by running a campaign of self-justification.

Andrew Mitchell publicly apologised for swearing at the police in Downing Street and subsequently chose to, or was persuaded to, resign as Chief Whip because of the effect of the incident on his ability to do the job. That should be that, but he is now offerering a milder version of what he actually said and claiming that his apology was “a disaster”. In the Sunday Times this former senior minister admitted that he had lost a stone under stress and had become so depressed that he could not get out of bed in the mornings. We have yet to discover what role the prime minister and No 10 played in Mr Mitchell's state of mind.

I read that the bookmaker Willam Hill is offering 3/1 against Mr Mitchell returning to office but clearly if he does it should not be to a ministry handling stressful issues.