LONDON — A year ago today, Andrew M

LONDON — A year ago today, Andrew Mitchell, a Conservative member of Britain’s governing coalition, resigned from the cabinet. Twelve months on, his case still transfixes Westminster and dominates the national headlines. What began as an alleged verbal altercation between a senior minister and a police officer at the gates of Downing Street has escalated into an institutional crisis and something I never expected to see: a Conservative-led government ranged angrily against the police.

Britain enshrines its national identity in political institutions and traditions, rather than a written constitution or a Bill of Rights. The monarchy and the National Health Service express irreducible aspects of the British character. So too does the police service — 45 territorial forces, most famously London’s Metropolitan Police, at New Scotland Yard — which is why this is as much a snapshot of social crisis as it is a tale of political intrigue.

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British Police on Defensive Over Downing Street Clash
A brief recap: In September 2012, Mr. Mitchell was the recently appointed chief whip, the cabinet minister charged with maintaining coalition discipline in Parliament. Trying to exit Downing Street by bicycle, he was told by a police officer that the main gate would not be opened and that he would have to push his bike through the pedestrian exit. “You guys are supposed to help us,” he muttered, inserting an expletive. This was his clear recollection, which I and other journalists duly reported at the time.

A few days later, however, a very different account emerged. According to other news reports, and a police log, Mr. Mitchell had let rip with a class-based tirade. “Best you learn your place,” he was alleged to have said, using a string of expletives (one per noun) that can’t be printed here. “You don’t run this government. You’re plebs.”


Matthew d’Ancona
British politics and society.
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The House of Lords: The Constitutional Dinosaur Britain Can’t Kill
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Labour’s Reckless Left Turn
George Osborne’s Discreet Ambition
See More »

Mr. Mitchell apologized profusely and repeatedly for swearing, while adamantly denying that he had used the toxic “p” word. A handful of journalists, myself included, believed him. But political support for him quickly dissipated, and he was forced to resign on Oct. 19, 2012, reflecting ruefully, as he headed back from his meeting with David Cameron at Chequers, the prime minister’s rural residence, that he was surely the first cabinet minister to have referenced the expletive in his resignation letter.

All of which would have been just a sad footnote to the story of this government were it not for a series of startling disclosures. The closed-circuit TV footage did not support the police version of events. An e-mail allegedly sent by a bystander who witnessed the altercation turned out to have been fabricated. This week, an initial inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found that three officers, apparently motivated by opposition to government spending cuts, had lied about a meeting they held with Mr. Mitchell to review the incident. Meanwhile, Operation Alice, the investigation into the original episode, continues.

What makes this protracted scandal so extraordinary are not only its twists and turns — Mr. Mitchell, left for dead, is now rehabilitated and something of a political hero — but also the spectacle of the home secretary, Theresa May, and the prime minister himself now demanding that the police say sorry to their fellow Conservative.

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To grasp how extraordinary these scenes are, one must recall how traditionally intimate has been the relationship between the Conservatives — the self-styled party of law and order — and the police. It has long been the Tory reflex, in matters of controversy, to back the decent copper on the beat, and to rhapsodize about the “thin blue line.”

If anything, the relationship has sometimes seemed a bit too close. In the politically fraught ’80s, for instance, police officers who took on militant trade unionists — sometimes with bloody consequences — came to be regarded in some quarters as the shock troops of Thatcherism.

The Mitchell Affair symbolizes a dramatic shift in this relationship. Mr. Cameron and his senior colleagues only feel comfortable confronting the police because of changing public opinion, driven by a series of scandals. The police complaints commission is widely considered unequal to the task of regulating increasingly powerful police forces (although a new system of directly elected police commissioners in most of England and Wales is expected to improve transparency).

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kvass October 19, 2013
Over the past sixty years I have watched policing being influenced by the mediaand the resu

Results (English) 1:

LONDON-A year ago today, Andrew Mitchell, a Conservative member of Britain's governing coalition, following from the cabinet. Twelve months on, his case still transfixes Westminster and dominates the national headlines. What began as an alleged verbal altercation between a senior minister and a police officer at the gates of Downing Street has escalated into an institutional crisis and something I never expected to see: a Conservative-led government ranged angrily against the police.Britain enshrines its national identity in political institutions and traditions, rather than a written constitution or a Bill of Rights. The monarchy and the National Health Service express irreducible aspects of the British character. So too does the police service — 45 territorial forces, most famously in London's Metropolitan Police, at New Scotland Yard — which is why this is as much a snapshot of social crisis as it is a tale of political intrigue.Continue reading the main storyRELATED COVERAGEBritish Police on Defensive Over Downing Street ClashA brief recap: In September 2012, Mr. Mitchell was the recently appointed chief whip, the cabinet minister charged with maintaining coalition discipline in Parliament. Trying to exit Downing Street by bicycle, he was told by a police officer that the main gate would not be opened and that he would have to push his bike through the pedestrian exit. "You guys are supposed to help us," he muttered, inserting an expletive. This was his clear recollection, which I and other journalists duly reported at the time.A few days later, however, a very different account emerged. According to other news reports and a police log, Mr. Mitchell had let rip with a class-based tirade. "Best you learn your place," he was alleged to have said, using a string of expletives (one per noun) that can't be printed here. "You don't run this government. You're plebs. "Matthew d'AnconaBritish politics and society.Rhodes Must Fall?The House of Lords: The Constitutional Dinosaur Britain Can't KillCorbyn at War With the MilitaryLabour's Reckless Left TurnGeorge Osborne's Discreet AmbitionSee More»Mr. Mitchell apologized profusely and repeatedly for swearing, while adamantly denying that he had used the toxic "p" word. A handful of journalists, myself included, believed him. But political support for him quickly dissipated, and he was forced to resign on Oct. 19, 2012, reflecting ruefully, as he headed back from his meeting with David Cameron at Chequers, the prime minister's rural residence, that he was surely the first cabinet minister to have referenced the expletive in his resignation letter.All of which would have been just a sad footnote to the story of this government were it not for a series of startling disclosures. The closed-circuit TV footage did not support the police version of events. An e-mail allegedly sent by a bystander who witnessed the altercation turned out to have been pre-fabricated. This week, an initial inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found that three officers, apparently motivated by opposition to government spending cuts, had lied about a meeting they held with Mr. Mitchell to review the incident. Meanwhile, Operation of Alice, the investigation into the original episode, it.What makes this protracted scandal so extraordinary are not only its twists and turns — Mr. Mitchell, left for dead, is now rehabilitated and something of a political hero — but also the spectacle of the home secretary, Theresa May, and the prime minister himself now demanding that the police say sorry to their fellow Conservative.AdvertisementContinue reading the main storyAdvertisementContinue reading the main storyTo grasp how extraordinary these scenes are, one must recall how intimate traditionally has been the relationship between the Conservatives, the self-styled party of law and order — and the police. It has long been the Tory reflex, in matters of controversy, to back the decent copper on the beat, and to rhapsodize about the "thin blue line."If anything, the relationship has sometimes seemed a bit too close. In the politically fraught ' 80s, for instance, police officers who took on militant trade unionists — sometimes with bloody consequences — came to be regarded in some quarters as the shock troops of Thatcherism.The Mitchell Affair symbolizes a dramatic shift in this relationship. Mr Cameron and his senior colleagues only feel comfortable confronting the police because of changing public opinion, driven by a series of scandals. The police complaints commission is widely considered unequal to the task of regulating increasingly powerful police forces (although a new system of directly elected police commissioners in most of England and Wales is expected to improve transparency).Continue reading the main storyRECENT COMMENTSkvass October 19, 2013Over the past sixty years I have watched being influenced by policing the mediaand the resu

Results (English) 2:

LONDON - A year ago today, Andrew Mitchell, a Conservative member of Britain's governing coalition, resigned from the cabinet. Twelve months on, his case still transfixes Westminster and dominates the national headlines. For What Began as with an the alleged verbal altercation Between a senior MINISTER and a police officer AT the gates of Downing is Street has escalated Into an by Institutional crisis and something I of by never expected to see: a Conservative-led Government a ranged angrily Against the police. Britain enshrines its' National identity in political institutions and traditions, rather than a written constitution or a Bill of Rights. The monarchy and the National Health Service express irreducible aspects of the British character. So too does the police service - 45 Territorial Forces, are most famously the London's The Metropolitan Police, AT the New Scotland Yard - the which is why the this is as with much a a snapshot of of social crisis as with IT is a tale of Political Intrigue. The Continue reading the main story RELATED meaning COVERAGE Police Defensive on the British Over Street Downing is the Clash A brief The recap of: with In September 2012, Mr. Mitchell was the recently appointed chief whip, the cabinet minister charged with maintaining coalition discipline in Parliament. Trying to exit Downing Street by bicycle, he was told by a police officer that the main gate would not be opened and that he would have to push his bike through the pedestrian exit. "You guys are supposed to help us ," he muttered, inserting an expletive. A His WAS the clear This Recollection, the which I of journalists and OTHER Duly Reported AT the time. A FEW days later, HOWEVER, a very Different account Emerged. According to other news reports, and a police log, Mr. Mitchell had let rip with a class- based tirade. "Best you learn your place," he was alleged to have said, using a string of expletives (one per noun) that can not be printed here. "You do not run this government. Plebs're You ". Matthew d'to Ancona the British politics and Society. Must Fall of Rhodes You? Of The House is of Lords: Dinosaur of The Constitutional Britain the Can not Kill Corbyn AT War With the Military Labour's Reckless of Left for Turn of George the Osborne's the Ambition the Discreet See More» by Mr . Mitchell apologized profusely and repeatedly for swearing, while adamantly denying that he had used the toxic "p" word. A handful of journalists, myself included, believed him. But political support for him quickly dissipated, and he was forced to resign on Oct. 19, 2012, Reflecting ruefully, as with he headed back from a His meeting with by David the Cameron AT Chequers, the prime MINISTER's Rural Residence, That he WAS Surely the first cabinet MINISTER to have referenced This the expletive in a His Resignation letter-. The All of the which Would have Been just a sad footnote to the story of this government were it not for a series of startling disclosures. The closed-circuit TV footage did not support the police version of events. An e-mail allegedly sent by a bystander who witnessed the altercation turned out to have been fabricated. This week, an initial inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found that three officers, apparently motivated by opposition to government spending cuts, had lied about a meeting they held with Mr. Mitchell to review the incident. Meanwhile, the Operation by Alice, the Investigation Into the original episode, Continues. For What Makes the this a protracted Scandal SO are extraordinary not only its' Twists and Turns - Mr. Of Mitchell, left for dead, is now! Just rehabilitated and something of a Political hero - But Also the a spectacle of the home secretary Have, by Theresa May, and the prime MINISTER Himself now! Just Demanding That the police say The sorry to Their fellow Conservative. Advertisement the Continue reading the main story Advertisement the Continue reading the main story the To Grasp how of extraordinary for These scenes are, one's a must recall how of intimate Traditionally has Been the relationship Between the Conservatives - the self-styled the party of law and order - and the police. Has a long Been It by Tory the reflex, in Matters of Controversy, back to the decent copper on the beat, and to rhapsodize about the "thin blue line." The If anything, the relationship has seemed sometimes Do a bit of too address close e-. The politically fraught with In '80s, for the instance, police officers took on the who TRADE militant unionists - sometimes Do with bloody Consequences - CAME to the BE Regarded in some Quarters as with the shock in Troops of Thatcherism. Of The Affair of Mitchell a Dramatic symbolizes the the shift in the this relationship. Mr. Cameron and his senior colleagues only feel comfortable confronting the police because of changing public opinion, driven by a series of scandals. Of The police complaints Commission is Widely Considered unequal to the task of Regulating increasingly powerful police Forces (Although a new system of Directly elected police Commissioners in are most of England and Wales is expected to Improve A transparency). The Continue reading the main story the RECENT the COMMENTS kvass October 19 2013 Over the past sixty years I have watched policing being influenced by the mediaand the resu

Results (English) 3:

london - a year ago today, andrew mitchell, a conservative member of britain's governing coalition, has from the cabinet. twelve months on, the case still transfixes westminster and offers the national headlines. what began as an alleged people altercation between a senior minister and a police officer at the area of downing street has escalated into an institutional crisis and something i never expected to see: a conservative led government ranged angrily against the police.britain enshrines its national identity in political institutions and traditions, rather than a written constitution or a bill of rights. the monarchy and the national health service. irreducible aspects of the british character. so too does the police service - 45 territorial forces, most famously london's metropolitan police, at new scotland yard, which is why this is as much a snapshot of social crisis as it is a tale of political intrigue.continue reading the main storyrelated COVERAGEbritish police on defensive chemicals over downing street.a brief recap: in september 2012, mr. mitchell was the recently appointed chief whip, the cabinet minister charged with maintaining at discipline in parliament. trying to exit downing street by bicycle, he was told by a police officer that the main gate would not be opened and that he would have to push the bike through the pedestrian exit. "you guys are supposed to help us," he muttered, inserting an expletive. this was a clear recollection, which i and other journalists duly reported at the time.a few days later, however, a very different account emerged. according to other news reports, and a police log, mr. mitchell had let rip with a class based tirade. "the best you learn your place," he was alleged to have said, using a string of expletives (one per form) that can't be printed here. "you don't run this government. you 're plebs. "matthew (Anconabritish politics and society.must rhodes fall?the house of lords: the constitutional dinosaur britain can't killCorbyn at war with the militarylabour's Reckless left turngeorge osborne's Discreet ambitionsee more. "mr. mitchell apologized profusely and repeatedly for swearing adamantly, while denying that he had used the toxic "p" word. a handful of journalists, myself included, from him. but political support for dissipated him quickly, and he was forced to resign on oct. 19, 2012, reflecting ruefully, as he headed back from his meeting with david cameron at Chequers, the prime minister 's rural residence, that he was surely the first cabinet minister to have referenced the expletive in his resignation letter.all of which would have been just a sad footnote to the story of this government were it not for a series of startling disclosures. the closed - circuit tv footage did not support the police version of events. an email allegedly sent by a bystander who witnessed the altercation turned out to have been fabricated. this week, an initial inquiry by the independent police complaints commission found that three officers, apparently motivated by opposition to government spending cuts had... about a meeting was held with mr. mitchell to review the industry. one operation alice, the investigation into the original episode, continues.what makes this protracted scandal so extraordinary is that not only its twists and turns - mr. mitchell, left for dead, is now rehabilitated and something of a national hero, but also the colors of the home secretary, theresa may, and the prime minister himself now demanding that the police say sorry to their top conservative.Advertisementcontinue reading the main storyAdvertisementcontinue reading the main storyto grasp how extraordinary these program are, one must recall how give cathedral has been the relationship between the Conservatives - the self styled party of law and order - and the police. it has long been the Tory reflex, in matters of controversy, to back the money copper on the beat, and to rhapsodize about the "thin blue line".if anything, the relationship has sometimes seemed a bit too close. in the sea fraught'80s, for instance, police officers who took on militant trade unionists - sometimes with bloody consequences - came to be regarded in some quarters as the shock troops of Thatcherism.the mitchell affair symbolizes a dramatic shift in this relationship. mr. cameron and his senior colleagues only feel comfortable confronting the police because of changing public opinion, driven by a series of scandals. the police complaints commission is widely considered unequal to the task of regulating increasingly powerful police forces (and a new system of directly at police commissioners in most of england and wales is expected to improve transparency).continue reading the main storyRECENT COMMENTSkvass october 19, 2013over the past ten years i hav