http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19977905

Ed Miliband is trying to make hay, but for the wrong reason, in my opinion.

Mitchell was stupid and has apologised to the police officers in question which, in my view, should settle the matter. However, a Police Federation spokesman says there is more to this. Mitchell met with them and apologised, but denies hurling the specific insults the officers claim that he used. This creates a problem for the officers, because that means Mitchell is claiming they have submitted false statements - which can be a pretty big deal for them professionally.

The spokesman said the officers made their notes on the incident immediately after it happened, whereas Mitchell admits that he didn't note the details until days afterwards.

Given the choice between police officers and a politician, I choose to believe the officers. So, I think he should go.

The Radio 4 Today program had a podcast about the language used. Everyone let the F word go, but the pleb comment was commented upon extensively. They were talking to a language professor from Oxford IIRC and she said that the usage of the word pleb died down in usage shortly after Mitchell left school. It was also used at his school a lot. She commented that because of its rarity in use that the chances of the officer making it up were next to nil meant that he had to have used it. So while the police can be lying scumbags on most occasions on this case I have to back the police.

In past times I'd have agreed with you. However the police have shown they can lie and distort the truth just as much as politicians.

Normally I think both of them are liars but on this occasion my gut feelings are for the police being the honest ones.

Correction slightly more honest.

The moment he said "know your place" he should have gone, no questions asked.