If he "swore in frustration"

[minestrone]

And Mitchell still admits to swearing at the police, which would get most people locked up under the Public Order Act (Section 5 IIRC), so his judgement and self-control (not to mention manners) are still suspect.

Absolutely no chance you would get arrested for a quick casual swear at the police, you have to go back more than once and they would warn you first.

[Hawk]

It intimated the cctv was hard to get, and was finally released by the Cabinet office. To me, the inference was that they couldn't get to it. I am sure the CO would have loved to have had it straight up, as it would appear to exonerate the chap.

As for the Section 5, well, there's no way one swear word would get you into trouble, and as has been said, you'd have to be warned, and carry on. It appears he did say it, he was warned, he didn't say anymore.

[mudskipper]

And Mitchell still admits to swearing at the police, which would get most people locked up under the Public Order Act (Section 5 IIRC), so his judgement and self-control (not to mention manners) are still suspect.

Indeed, but what did for his career was supposedly calling him a pleb and lying about it.

[formant]

TBH the police were milking it from the start, it was never particularly credible. I'm not surprised the whole thing is now being revealed as mostly fabricated.

As for the alleged section 5 public order offence - you need at least one independent witness. A colleague from your force, as far as I'm aware, doesn't constitute an independent witness.
You're a lot less likely to get arrested for swearing at a police officer than you are for swearing at a member of the public.

Can't stand Andrew Mitchell, but for what it's worth, in my book he seemed to have a valid reason for swearing at the police.

I really don't have a whole lot of respect for the police by default though.

[cailin maith]

in my book he seemed to have a valid reason for swearing at the police.

I really don't have a whole lot of respect for the police by default though.

Simply because they wouldn't open a gate for him??

Seems to me like he was acting like a petulant child.

[Hawk]

Simply because they wouldn't open a gate for him??

Seems to me like he was acting like a petulant child.

In all Fairness CM, I think they were being awkward; I have seen many people have the gates opened for them before, on cycles. I think there's a bit of aggro between this gov and the Police, with regards to cost cutting, pensions etc.

I dont think this would have happened to a labour politician, but call me jaded by politics and self serving entities in public life.

[cailin maith]

In all Fairness CM, I think they were being awkward; I have seen many people have the gates opened for them before, on cycles. I think there's a bit of aggro between this gov and the Police, with regards to cost cutting, pensions etc.

I dont think this would have happened to a labour politician, but call me jaded by politics and self serving entities in public life.

Yeah, maybe you are right.

But one thing is for sure, I have less sympathy for him because all he kept bleating on was "I did not use those words attributed to me" If he'd just held his hands up and said :

"Jeez, I was really stressed, swore and acted inappropriatly, Sorry"

I'd have some sympathy for him.

[OwlHoot]

Absolutely no chance you would get arrested for a quick casual swear at the police, you have to go back more than once and they would warn you first.

A legal precedent a couple of years ago established that swearing at a police officer isn't in itself an offence, unless uttered with a raised voice or in a threatening manner.

But seeing as you can be arrested on suspicion, of intent to commit a crime not yet even started, a copper can obviously arrest you anyway and make your life difficult for several hours if they want.

[OwlHoot]

Channel 4 News alleged the police officer posed as a member of the public who witnessed the row in which Mr Mitchell was said to have called police "plebs".

And how did Channel 4 get wind of that? Obviously a Government leak. So maybe Downing Street arranged for someone to pretend to be a police officer pretending to be a member of the public, to discredit the police.

[formant]

In all Fairness CM, I think they were being awkward; I have seen many people have the gates opened for them before, on cycles. I think there's a bit of aggro between this gov and the Police, with regards to cost cutting, pensions etc.

I dont think this would have happened to a labour politician, but call me jaded by politics and self serving entities in public life.

Yes, this.