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?

Agree public confidence is dented.

Sorry scurryfunge . I think I remember a thread started by police wives on here about a month ago? Particularly about the long hours culture? And that thread stuck in my mind.

And appreciate you coming here to post. Not sure I have any questions. It cant be an easy time right now.

Trish, I've been following that thread too. Totally sympathise with police partners.DH puts up with a lot of crap from my shift pattern.The police culture is strong and damages a lot of relationships.

Abra1d Working class is probably not the right descriptor.

But there is a police culture of male, white, anti-intellectual, hands-dirty - bugger me, that's worse than describing it as working class, which is what I am, or used to be. And possibly still am.

I'm not trying to get above myself or claim to be a working class hero.

But that aspect is repellent and has to change.

scurryfunge i dipped in and out of that thread too. It takes a lot.

Haven't met him myself but someone told me they found him very arrogant and patronizing. I think the police work under extremely tight regulation these days and the public have nothing to fear. This was a political story not a criminal matter and the federation reps were misrepresenting a situation just as Politicians often do. They certainly frequently misrepresent situations in relation to the police, frequently blaming them for society's ills (Hillsborough aside which was horrendous but a long time ago and times have changed in the police).

Scurryfunge thanks for posting, it can't have been easy for you.

It must feel awful to see your colleagues yesterday behave as they did when interviewed.

I hope the little videos on the pc's chests being trailed get rolled out nationally. All that can go wrong is them be broken. An uninterrupted video is much better than a little notebook.

The only surprise here is that Bettison wasn't involved before he resigned, saving his pension. He's had a finger in just about every dirty pie going.

limited I know what you mean. Not meaning to be a pedant, sorry.

Don't worry.

I did wonder if he would get his job back - seems unfair otherwise, but then maybe they can't easily switch back from the new person (sorry I have no idea who this is!).

I don't agree with his politics, but agree with others that it is shocking the police should fabricate so much of the allegation (not sure exactly which parts have been shown to be untrue but it's shocking they should be making anything up).

I have never really trusted the police some negative experiences with them in the past and in many parts police are regarded with suspicion always. This situation doesn't really surprise me. At least it has brought open their potential for dishonesty to a 'big fish' that they actually do something about rather than cover up and close ranks as they have always done.

Might and it missing from my above post my excuse is the iPhone.

What I have learned is to always record any meetings with the police. Scary.

I think I feel bad because I believed it totally! Totally fell into the "this is what a Tory MP would say" trap.

Me too, Mim78.

If the Police can fabricate against someone with this sort of power,their powers need curtailing.

I agree Caruthers they have far too much power, the public are putting far too much trust in these people.

Well let's be honest about our \

Two of the Police Federation reps who lied about their meeting with Andrew Mitchell are going back before the committee for another roasting

It's on Sky in about 15 minutes if anyone's reading this and is interested in watching.

The pair of them are totally bent IMO.

Yep. The second one lying about his disciplinary record and then having it dragged out of him was painful.

The CCTV footage went missing, did it? And you pushed someone in the back off-duty and they cut their lip, did they? His gesture suggested that the person was holding a glass, btw.

And you just received 'advice' over that, did you? So you didn't think it counted when asked about your disciplinary record?

He lied about Mitchell and there was apparently no case to answer there either.

It wasn't just the two issues where he received 'advice' either. It was the other two or three incidents that were resolved in some way. What way?

West Mercia obviously don't give a shit what their officers do.

And the bit where the other MP, not Vaz, asked if he understood everything now, and he still weaselled out of it. I can't remember his words - it was something like 'to the best of my knowledge' which certainly looked like he was still hiding stuff and will insist it was a mistake if it comes to light.

His employers look as bent as him now. He is a disgrace just like the one who pushed and killed the harmless paper guy.

I don't see the big sin in referring to Theresa May as 'that/this woman'.

If you're opposed to someone, you tend not to refer to them in glowing terms.

So what? Theresa May is a big girl.

That's about as much rope as I'm going to give them