Photograph by Photo by David Iliff
A police officer at the centre of the “Plebgate” row is facing a criminal charge of misconduct.
PC Keith Wallis is accused of misconduct in public office over allegations that he sent an email to his MP, John Randall, who is also deputy chief whip of the Conservative party, stating that he had seen the exchange between Andrew Mitchell and a policeman at Downing Street last year.
Andrew Mitchell, chief whip at the time, admitted having a heated confrontation with an officer at Downing Street after he refused to let Mitchell cycle through the main gate. Mitchell admitted swearing, but denied using the word “pleb” to describe the officer.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said that there was “insufficient evidence” to say that the police officer who made the original statement had lied, or that Mitchell was the victim of a “conspiracy of misinformation”. However, the email sent by Pc Keith Wallis to John Randall was considered sufficient evidence to prosecute him over his false statements about witnessing the incident.
PC Keith Wallis has been charged and is required to attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 December 2013.
