Wednesday 19 September 2012, 7.30pm
Mitchell cycles up to the Downing Street gate on his bike and is told he must dismount. A row ensues. The officer claims Mitchell says: “Best you learn your fucking place … you don’t run this fucking government … You’re fucking plebs.”
Friday 21 September
The Sun splashes with “Cabinet minister: police are plebs”. Mitchell apologises for not “treating the police with the respect they deserve” but insists he did not say “pleb”.
Tuesday 25 September
The full text of the police log of the event is published by the Daily Telegraph. Scotland Yard confirms it is investigating how the leak came about. There is growing disquiet in the Tory ranks.
Friday 19 October
Mitchell meets Cameron at Chequers and resigns at 4pm. In his resignation letter he says: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter I will not be able to fulfil my duties as we would both wish.”
Saturday 15 December
A diplomatic protection squad officer is arrested for alleged misconduct in public office by officers investigating the leak of the police log. The officer is also suspended from duties.
Thursday 28 March 2013
Mitchell confirms that his lawyers have issued a libel writ against the Sun. A spokesman for the newspaper says it stands by its story “and will defend this claim vigorously”.
Tuesday 26 November
The Crown Prosecution Service announces that PC Keith Wallis, 53, is to be charged with misconduct in public office. He allegedly sent an email to the deputy chief whip purporting to be a member of the public who had witnessed the incident.
Wednesday 4 December
Toby Rowland, the officer on duty in Downing Street at the time of the altercation, says that he is to sue the former chief whip, after Mitchell accused him of lying.
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, apologises in person to Mitchell. In November 2012, the Met commissioner had said he was “100% behind the officers” who had “accurately reported what happened”.
Thursday 6 February
Thursday 27 November
A “bitterly disappointed” Mitchell is ordered to pay £300,000 in costs after he loses his high court libel trial over the incident. Giving his ruling, Mr Justice Mitting says: “I am satisfied at least on the balance of probabilities that Mr Mitchell did speak the words alleged... including the politically toxic word pleb.”
