Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?
Discuss issues related to the politics of the UK, such as the actions of any MP, any current or potential law, or any other factor affecting the British political system.
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View Poll Results: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?
Yes 18 54.55% No 15 45.45%
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Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?Not seen any topics on it.
Thoughts?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19675297 -
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?Sounds like the right kind of guy for Chief Whip, though.(Original post by Redolent)
"Pleb"
"Learn your place"
"You don't run this government"
I don't necessarily think he should resign, but I do think he sounds like a right ****.
Should he resign? No. It seems like something that could've been put to bed quite quickly and easily. -
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?He claims that he didnt use those words. If he actually did, then of course he should resign, otherwise he should be allowed to explain his part of the story to the police officer in question and the country. If the police officer has accepted an apology, then it should be laid to rest as they were the ones there and they are best to judge if he did anything worth being sacked over.
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?If a cop testifies that you've done something and it's your word against theirs, you're probably going to prison(Original post by Jack93o)
its one person's word against another, unless theres hard evidence of the words he used I see no reason why he should have to resign
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?Yeah thats a bit dodgy to me.(Original post by Hopple)
If a cop testifies that you've done something and it's your word against theirs, you're probably going to prison
Especially in a case like this where the officer is directly involved in the incident. Cops are just as capable of lying as anyone else, its common sense and this has been shown time and time again in many high profile cases, and who knows just how many more times the police has lied but have gotten away with it.
I fail to see why I should take his word over that of Andrew Mitchell who presumably has never had any brushes with the law before. And besides even if he did call swear at the officer and called him a 'pleb', I honestly don't see it as a sack-able offence, this whole story is so petty and ridiculous but then again its what to be expected when a rag paper like The Sun takes it on
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?What I'm thinking, is if he was already practically out of the gate/very near it, why the hell wasn't he allowed to go through it?
Saying that he sounds like a bit of cockmuch if the account is true, bit arrogant to say 'You don't run the government', well if you think about it, the MP just debates what goes in the law, the policeman enforces it, ergo the policeman runs the government more so than the MP. -
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?If he called the officer a ****ing Pleb, then really that is unacceptable. If I understand it correctly, the Police Officer was merely asking Andrew Mitchell to leave from the gate next to the main exit, literally next to it. It would not have inconvenienced the Conservative MP and Chief Whip in any way whatsoever. What this episode goes to show is how power mad our MPs are. He said something like "I run the ****ing government!"- It's like wtf, mate you are only running the country because PEOPLE voted for you. Slightly worrying how power mad the MP is. It isn't good timing especially given the tragic deaths of two female Police Officers earlier this week. He really should know better.
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?There's a difference between being sackable and 'should resign' though. It's about image, you can look at the cabinet for example, there could be (and most likely are) many backbenchers equally or more competent than some cabinet members, but those in place will have been chosen with an eye on appearing young/in touch/equality focused/whatever as well. That'll even play a part in who stands as Parliamentary candidates in the constituencies.(Original post by Jack93o)
Yeah thats a bit dodgy to me.
Especially in a case like this where the officer is directly involved in the incident. Cops are just as capable of lying as anyone else, its common sense and this has been shown time and time again in many high profile cases, and who knows just how many more times the police has lied but have gotten away with it.
I fail to see why I should take his word over that of Andrew Mitchell who presumably has never had any brushes with the law before. And besides even if he did call swear at the officer and called him a 'pleb', I honestly don't see it as a sack-able offence, this whole story is so petty and ridiculous but then again its what to be expected when a rag paper like The Sun takes it on
Also, cops' word has to be taken as more reliable. Sure they walk around in pairs (or threes), but otherwise it'd be very easy for a criminal to just claim the cop caught the wrong person, or even say the cop smashed the window etc. -
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Re: Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?In theory yes, but in practice I personally wouldn't necessarily take their word as being more reliable in a case where they're involved, particularly in this incident where the other party is also a 'respectable' person (he is an elected MP after all) and like I said its one person's word against another in a petty dispute over the exact words used during a minor disagreement, thats not worth anyone's time IMO. I accept it doesn't look good on Mitchell, but he's already apologized for being rash and disrespectful, and I think thats enough. Its like the Gordon Brown bigot-gate incident where suddenly everyone acted as though they've never said something behind another person's back, ridiculous to say the least.(Original post by Hopple)
There's a difference between being sackable and 'should resign' though. It's about image, you can look at the cabinet for example, there could be (and most likely are) many backbenchers equally or more competent than some cabinet members, but those in place will have been chosen with an eye on appearing young/in touch/equality focused/whatever as well. That'll even play a part in who stands as Parliamentary candidates in the constituencies.
Also, cops' word has to be taken as more reliable. Sure they walk around in pairs (or threes), but otherwise it'd be very easy for a criminal to just claim the cop caught the wrong person, or even say the cop smashed the window etc.
