WIREDGOV

The IPCC has been supervising two investigations following the incident on 19 September 2012 involving Mr Andrew Mitchell and a police officer. One investigation, carried out by the Metropolitan Police, was referred on 17 December 2012 and is examining

• Mr Mitchell's allegations that police lied in their log of 19 September 2012;

• a "leak" to The Sun and the Daily Telegraph;

• a police officer's claim to have witnessed the incident; and

• any evidence of a conspiracy between this officer and any other person.

Nine Metropolitan Police officers have been or are being investigated for criminal and/or misconduct offences as part of that investigation. Four others, who are not police officers, have also been or are being investigated. A decision by the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of any criminal offences is awaited. Depending on the CPS decision the IPCC and MPS will then consider misconduct charges against the officers.

IPCC Deputy Chair, Deborah Glass said: “This police investigation which the IPCC is intrusively supervising has been provided with new information over the last few months, and as a result further lines of enquiry are being followed. While the incident which sparked this investigation is on the face of it simple – it took less than a minute to unfold – what has evolved are allegations of a conspiracy which by its very nature is complex.

“While I share the concerns of others that the investigation is taking far longer than originally anticipated, I am regularly updated on its progress, I am personally reviewing the evidence and I am satisfied that all that can be done to conclude the investigation is being done and that Mr Mitchell himself is kept informed.”

The second investigation was referred by West Mercia Police on 24 December 2012, into an allegation that the West Mercia Police Federation representative gave a false account of his meeting with Mr Mitchell on 12 October 2012, in an attempt to discredit him. That investigation was later widened to include the federation representatives of West Midlands and Warwickshire Police, who were also present at the meeting. The investigation was concluded in August and has been reviewed by the IPCC, who have questioned the findings and await a response from the appropriate authorities.