Conservative minister and Tory Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell has been summoned to appear before Westminster magistrates after he was stopped by officers while riding his bike along Whitehall.
Mitchell has yet to release any statement however the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that “serious road offences” were recorded including failing to indicate with his arm when he turned left, not wearing a cycle helmet, not tucking his trousers into his socks (which constitutes a reckless offence should his pants have become entangled in his bicycle’s chain), riding on the pavement, tires not inflated to required regulatory standard, front and back cycle lights faulty and for offering to give Prime Minster David Cameron “a backie down to the shops”.
A Met spokesman said “These are very serious offences and highlight the need for cyclists to abide by the law. Thank heavens that several diligent officers spotted him and pulled him over. The maniac was going 10 miles an hour. There could have been more charges, his bell wasn’t loud enough and attending officers spotted he tried to do a “wheelie”. Idiot.”
The Metropolitan Police are vehemently denying allegations made by some Tories that Mitchell is a victim of a witch hunt stating “What do these ‘plebs’ know?”