Red against Feds
I thought the Andrew Mitchell affair was a storm in a teacup, and was thoroughly irritated that it has been the lead item on the news for the last few weeks, displaced only by Jimmy Savile. Chris Mullin’s take on it is that the real story is of the Police Federation showing their muscle.
Accusing those stoking the row of making a “mountain out of a molehill,” Mr Mullin described the Police Federation, which has repeatedly called for Mr Mitchell to be sacked, as a “bunch of head-bangers”.
Describing his own run-in with the Federation, which, he said, had sought to have him removed as chairman of the Commons’ Home Affairs Select Committee when he raised questions about the probity of the police disciplinary system, he said: “The Federation is a bully.
“It has a long track record of intimidating ministers, journalists and anyone else who gets in its way. It also has a track record of defending the indefensible.”
‘. . .
“The Police Federation is a mighty vested interest that has seen off just about all attempts to reform the least reformed part of the public service. They need to be taken on, not appeased.”
The former minister’s intervention follows claims from three Cabinet colleagues of Mr Mitchell that the Police Federation are seeking to exploit the row for political reasons, and in particular grievances about changes to officers’ pay and conditions.
pinkagendist said,
October 20, 2012 at 11:12 pm
It’s a storm in a tea-cup, but let’s be honest, I’ve only ever heard the word pleb used in certain circles- and not the kind policemen are a part of. I think they didn’t just pluck the word out of thin air. They’re probably telling the truth. In which case he should have admitted it and apologized.
Roger McCarthy (@RF_McCarthy) said,
October 21, 2012 at 12:23 am
Mitchell is just a Tory doing what Tories do – like the scorpion in the fable it is just his nature,
But Chris Mullin?
Really?
And one of the more interesting things about the march today was the positively relaxed friendly attitude of the police – as typified by this:
http://twitpic.com/b5w6x0
Having a police force who if not altogether on our side hate the government almost as much as we do is actually no bad thing,
Matt said,
October 21, 2012 at 7:52 am
I agree the Police Federation has used Plebgate for its own ends. I also think the Murdochs are trying to use Savile’s crimes as a stick to beat the BBC with, despite Fleet Street also having known about them since the 70′s.
Rosie said,
October 21, 2012 at 8:41 am
@ Roger – I think I’d prefer a totally non-politicised police force. However that’s to ask for the moon.
@ Matt – not just the Murdoch press but Dacre’s as well. If the scandal-mongering Press are going to chase people about their sex lives, here’s one instant when it would have been to good effect. But the tabloids seize every opportunity to bash the Beeb.
Anyway, Mitchell was cycling and being told he wasn’t allowed the access that other wheeled vehicles are allowed. So though he may be an arrogant arse, he had reason to be aggrieved at this blatant discrimination.
Pinkie said,
October 21, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Rosie:
“Anyway, Mitchell was cycling and being told he wasn’t allowed the access that other wheeled vehicles are allowed. So though he may be an arrogant arse, he had reason to be aggrieved at this blatant discrimination.”
Hum, I must admit I do think that cycling somewhere that some cop says you shouldn’t is not my idea of ‘blatant discrimination’. Being ‘a bit miffed’ rather than ‘aggrieved’ seems a more appropriate response to it.
I’m sure we can all find examples of thick-headed, heavy-handed and discriminatory policing ‘better’ than this.
Arrogant Tory shite versus delicate flowers of legitimated users of state violence – difficult call, what with it being ‘hurt feelings’ all round, rather than bullets to the head.
daggi said,
October 22, 2012 at 11:10 am
Having observed both the Mitchell and the Savile cases from afar, I have wondered if the Murdoch/Dacre press have started (yet) to use Savile as a stick to attack not only the BBC, but also the NHS?
(Of course, it could be used to attack the cult of celebrity and the disgusting fact that charity donations are required to keep certain parts of the health service going, but that isn´t going to happen.)
Monsuer Jelly More Bounce to the Ounce (Much More Bounce) said,
October 22, 2012 at 2:01 pm
couple of good observatiomns Daggi.
Jimmy Glesga said,
October 23, 2012 at 7:08 pm
The polis will do what they are told like beating the skulls of the miners. That is what they are paid to do. Mitchell was right they are plebs but slightly thicker. The Tories laugh at them for being the pricks that defend them.
John reid said,
October 28, 2012 at 2:43 am
Asking for a non politicised Polce force, would mean that those who Oppose the govenment of the day don’t resort to crimes to try to bring the Government down, (the Miners, the IRA, the Broadwater farm rioters) and that if someone wants to brign a Gov’t down they do it through the ballot box, when People commit crimes to bring dwon A gov’t and the police have to retaliate, it’s becuase they’re there to up hold the law, not to fight with political opponents of the Gov’t
John reid said,
October 28, 2012 at 2:48 am
Chris mullin has said the federation would defend a Copper guilty of murder, the federation are the equivalent of a union ,Unions defend their members, the NUM defended the murderers of Taxi driver david wilkie, Isn’t this a bit rich coming from Mullins as he has said he has proof who the birmingham pub bombers were.
if someone is even found guilty of murder they have a right to appeal, as teh law that convicted them maybe wrong, so people have the right to defend them, Like Solicitors do, and remeber if someones cleared Like Ali Diziaae was once, then its the Police associations job to defend that person,