Plebgate

[Mim78]

Unbelievable story.

Did anyone not think the officers were telling the truth at the time? Even though we know police officers do lie it sounded so believable. Just the kind of thing we imagine a Tory mp would say. Now it appears they were lying about key things and so probably this as well

What are people's views?

"Five people have been arrested over the original incident, four of them serving police officers. It happened a year ago and they still haven't been charged."

Despite clearly manufacturing evidence. Apparently there's no case to answer! There's not even an apology. There is no accountability, ranks have closed from top to bottom. It's extraordinary.

I note that none of the angry posters from the original thread have pitched up here yet either.

Well, they wouldn't, would they? "Posh Evil Tory Calls Rozzers Plebs" is a devastating indictment of the evil conservative party, whereas "Police Union Reps manufacture evidence to destroy minister's career" is merely whitehall tittle-tattle, and is clearly smearing those decent, hard-working, honest, upright people who wisely brought this to the country's attention. Like the Guardian.

“Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”

Perhaps people need to start questioning their orthodoxies a little more.

I note that none of the angry posters from the original thread have pitched up here yet either.

Well, there's me. But I stuck up for him. I'm no fan of the Conservatives, just less keen on lying Plod.

The Police Federation went to The Sun with this fairytale, not The Guardian btw

The Sun have been outrageous regarding this matter. Even when the story was beginning to fall apart they stood by it like glue, and when it did fall apart and officers were exposed as posing as members of the public the Sun almost justified it because Andrew MItchell isn't there favorite person. Shocking.

That would be The Sun that reported the Police version of Hillsborough.

I heard a black joke about The Sun and the police vs people they don't like yesterday.

If those officers who were so reluctant to open the gates at Downing Street had been on duty at Hillsborough nobody would have lied, and nobody would have died either.

This makes me angry. I thought the police would be essentially honest.

I am still very upset by the Police officers behavior, top to bottom.

But really? I'm not trying to be nasty, truly I'm not, but did you not think police officers at the least close ranks out of misguided loyalty to The Job, and at the very worst are corrupt?

I don't think most police officers are corrupt. I don't have any evidence for that but I think most people are essentially good. But I also think most people are easily led and the prevailing familial culture in the police doesn't help.

I also think there is a working class culture and pride in getting your hands dirty that means that anyone who's a book-learner or dissents is ostracised.

I say that as a book-learner of working class origins. Not a police officer, but who used to have a lot of contact with them professionally.

If you're a plumber or a taxi driver who's easily led you can't do much harm. But if you're a police officer the scope is terrifying.

I also think the police have enjoyed such a position of trust that some of them can get away with murder. Literally.

That complacency does make most of them shit liars, as we saw yesterday and also in the parliamentary News International inquiries. I'm still divvying up whether it's more shocking than embarrassing.

Maybe we might be in for a change now. It depends how far the Government can push this, and though I don't support them in anything else, I do here.

this was a chance. There's further reading to be done but it's a start

However, Margaret Thatcher's government closed it down because it needed the police on side.

Someone might say that's where my lefty side shows. Okay. But if anyone does that I'd say I stuck up for Mitchell because though I have a political viewpoint, I like to think I am fair and try to look at the bigger picture.

I thunk you presented a fair summary.

think

If you'd have stuck with thunk I'd have accepted it as a joke deepfriedsage

Police officers aren't WC, are they, though? Not that these old labels make much sense these days.

It would be nice if some mumsnet police wives came on here, so we could here their pov. There are some.

Trish, there are probably as many police officers on here as wives. Some of us are Wimmin too

Scurryfunge what do you Wimmin PC's make of it all?

I'm shocked and worried and agree with a good deal of what limited period is saying. The toothless tiger is not to be trusted evidently and is a political organisation not truly representing the rank and file.

Are you an officer scurryfunge? What do you think?

Sorry. x-posted

What worries you? What are your colleagues making of it all?

Just what I said before. Worried about any dishonesty and lack of integrity.

There seems to be dishonesty and from all over the place, different levels and forces. Public confidence in the force has been massively dented, not just over this, this was the final straw for me.

I feel sorry for any officer who isn't a sheep or corrupt, they will be feeling shite.

Limited has hit the nail on the head

But I also think most people are easily led and the prevailing familial culture in the police doesn't help.