Andrew Mitchell Faces His First PMQs After Pleb-Gate

Andrew Mitchell Faces His First PMQs After Pleb-Gate

Andrew Mitchell faces a fresh ordeal at the hands of Labour and Tory backbenchers today as he struggles to cling on to his job.

The Chief Whip is set for intense barracking when he attends Prime Minister's Questions for the first time since his notorious confrontation with police last month.

A few hours later the powerful Conservative 1922 Committee will consider Mr Mitchell's prospects for survival, amid signs that support within the party is ebbing away.

Andrew Mitchell faces a fresh ordeal at the hands of Labour and Tory backbenchers today

The Sutton Coldfield MP remains under pressure over his tirade at police who refused to let him cycle through the main gates at Downing Street.

He has denied calling the officers "plebs", but apologised for swearing and not showing enough respect.

Labour leader Ed Miliband could seek to capitalise on the continuing row by challenging David Cameron on the issue in the Commons this afternoon.

The party is tabling a motion calling for Mr Mitchell to be docked £1,000 from his salary - roughly the same amount he could have been fined for swearing at an officer.

However, the real test is likely to come this evening when the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers gathers.

The Prime Minister has reiterated his backing for Mr Mitchell, who was only appointed in last month's reshuffle, but some MPs question his ability to enforce discipline in the wake of the controversy.

The vice-chairman of the 1922, John Whittingdale, appeared to hedge his bets yesterday when asked whether he personally had confidence in the chief whip.

"I think he is an experienced member of the whips' office. He has served there in the past. He is well equipped to do the job," Mr Whittingdale told Sky News.

"This is a very unfortunate incident. I hoped, and I think all of us hoped, that he could draw a line under it. It is distressing that it doesn't yet appear possible to do that, but I hope that it can be done."

He added: "It is a matter ultimately for the Prime Minister. My colleagues will undoubtedly be taking soundings and will let the Prime Minister know the views of the parliamentary party, but Parliament only came back yesterday, so I don't think we have had the chance yet to see what the general mood is."

Mr Mitchell will not be attending the session, but it is understood he will meet members of the committee's executive afterwards. Sources close to the Chief Whip insisted the debrief was a normal part of his duties.

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