Met Police officer pleads guilty to misconduct over 'plebgate' row

PC Keith Wallis was the only officer to have been charged in connection with the 'plebgate' affair. Credit: Press Association

A Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office over the "plebgate" scandal.

PC Keith Wallis falsely claimed in an email that he had seen an incident in Downing Street involving the Government's then-Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell and other officers in September 2012.

Wallis, 53, later admitted the offence in police interview and offered to resign.

ITV News Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks reports:

During a brief hearing at the Old Bailey today, Wallis was released on unconditional bail and told he will be sentenced on February 6.

Mr Mitchell, who resigned as the Government's Chief Whip amid the scandal, has welcomed the news, saying, "Justice has been done".

He said in a statement:

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "completely unacceptable" for a police officer to falsify their account of an incident, but he did not state whether the development will open the door for Mr Mitchell to return to a ministerial post.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe apologised to Mr Mitchell, stating the incident "falls way below the standards that I and PC Wallis' colleagues expect of police officers".

"His actions have also negatively impacted upon public trust and confidence in the integrity of police officers", he added.