Plebgate: Andrew Mitchell 'victim of plot against Tories'

Former Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell says he was the victim of a plot to "toxify" the Tories, in a full account of the "plebgate" incident to the Sunday Times.

He admits swearing after being told he could not use the main gate to leave Downing Street with his bicycle, but says he did not aim the words at a police officer and did not lose his temper.

A serving Met police constable has been arrested and suspended over the incident, and Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has temporarily returned from his Christmas holiday to deal with the situation.

Iain Watson reports.