A DOWNING Street police officer has told the High Court how he was embarrassed by the childish and overbearing behaviour of former government chief whip Andrew Mitchell on the night before "plebgate".
PC Gareth Bonds, who has 30 years' service, was the senior officer on duty at the front gates on September 18, 2012, when the 58-year-old MP for Sutton Coldfield tried to cycle out and was told he should go through the side gate as that was the policy.
"Mr Mitchell then raised his voice and stated that he was the Government Chief Whip and that he wanted to leave via the front vehicle gates. He was politely told to use the gate at the side.
"He again raised his voice and repeated the same phrase, 'I'm the Government Chief Whip. I want to leave through these gates'. He also stated that he had been let out of the gates on previous occasions. He was raising his voice.
"During this exchange, I stood and watched in disbelief at how childish a grown man in his position was being, and found it embarrassing. I therefore spoke to my colleagues and told them to just open the gates as it was ridiculous to argue over a gate. I found Mr Mitchell's tone overbearing, but he did not swear at us. He then left."
Mr Mitchell is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) for libel over a story about his encounter with PC Toby Rowland on September 19, 2012. He says the report in The Sun, which NGN claims is substantially true, meant he was guilty of launching a grossly offensive and arrogant attack at Downing Street police officers, branding them "f****** plebs".
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
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