David Cameron rebuffed a ferocious onslaught from Ed Miliband today over shamed Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell.
The Labour leader branded Mr Mitchell “toast” after he allegedly called police “f***ing plebs” for refusing to open the main gate at Downing Street for him to leave on his bike.
The Cabinet minister denies using this language. But Mr Miliband said he should have been arrested like any other “yob” who had sworn at police.
“While it is a night in the cell for the yobs, it is a night at the Carlton Club for the Chief Whip. Isn’t that the clearest case there could be of total double standards?” he taunted Mr Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions. “His position is untenable. He is toast.”
But Mr Cameron accused the Opposition leader of focusing on “clever political questions” rather than the big issues facing the country.
“What the Chief Whip did and what the Chief Whip said were wrong. I am absolutely clear about that,” he said.
“That is why it was important that the Chief Whip apologised. The apology has been accepted by the officers concerned, it has been accepted by the Metropolitan Police.”
Mr Mitchell looked pale as he sat feet from Mr Cameron. At one stage, he appeared to deny he had sworn at police, or used the word “pleb”.
The Tory 1922 backbench committee was also to discuss the issue today.
Match of today
David Cameron v Ed miliband
Ground: PMQs; Kick-off: Noon
Andrew Mitchell arrived early to avoid the catcalls that always greet a minister in trouble. He sat in his usual place on the front bench with Andrew Lansley and Nick Clegg acting as human shields between the toxic Chief Whip and the PM. Miliband stuck the boot in. “A night in the cells for a yob [who swears at police] but a night in the Carlton Club for the Chief Whip,” he jeered. “They say we do class war while they call people plebs.” Mitchell shook his head, denying the claim. Cameron rallied his MPs with a gag about Ed going on the “most lucrative sponsored walk in history” — the trade union march.
Score: Cameron 1, Miliband 2
