Police 'need entirely independent system for complaints'

Association of Chief Police Officers' chairman Sir Hugh Orde has suggested that there should be system for dealing with complaints about the police which is "entirely independent" and "builds public trust".

The issue of police regulation has been in the spotlight in recent weeks because of the "plebgate" affair - which saw MP Andrew Mitchell accused of swearing at police and calling them "plebs".

Serious questions have since been raised about the credibility of police reports about Mr Mitchell's conduct, and about the response of senior officers.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Sir Hugh also suggested that Mr Mitchell was owed an apology by the officers who make the initial accusations against him.