Plebgate Returns

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The BBC reports that two officials of the Police Federation, the police trade union, will face misconduct hearings and charges of gross misconduct over their notorious role in the so-called 'Plebgate' affair.

Now it's taken quite some time to get here (almost two years) and the officers are being held to account only because of the actions of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). 

But the reality is that without an independent complaints watchdog nothing would be happening at all. 

'Plebgate' police officers face misconduct hearings

BBC UK

Andrew Mitchell resigned as chief whip over the "plebgate" affair

Two police officers face misconduct hearings over the "plebgate" affair involving ex-chief whip Andrew Mitchell, the police watchdog has said.

Insp Ken Mackaill and Det Sgt Stuart Hinton are accused of gross misconduct over accounts they gave of a meeting with Mr Mitchell, and could be sacked if the disciplinary charges are proved.

It follows claims the Tory MP had called police "plebs", which he denied.

Another officer, Sgt Chris Jones, has been cleared of misconduct.

Mr Hinton is from Warwickshire Police, Mr Mackaill works for West Mercia Police and Mr Jones for West Midlands police.

All three officers are Police Federation representatives in the Midlands and met the Conservative MP in October 2012 to find out what he had said during a row in Downing Street.

After the meeting, the men said Mr Mitchell had not given a full account and called for him to resign.

An investigation was set up after a recording of the discussions appeared to cast doubt on what they'd said.

Last year, the High Court described a misconduct investigation into the actions of the trio as "lamentable" saying there was a "series of errors and irregularities".

The case was referred back to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and it has now directed that they must face disciplinary action.

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