The Wolf at the Gate

24th of September 2012

I haven't had anything to say really, when it comes to what has been dubbed 'Gategate'. The 'why' struck me earlier, as I remembered a little something that David Herbert Lawrence said:
“There's always the hyena of morality at the garden gate, and the real wolf at the end of the street”.

It's not that I haven't wanted to say something, but really, I could have predicted the final outcome from the outset: Big hoo-ha, nothing doing. In fact I read this, (78) just before sitting down to type:
“Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood said he agreed with the Prime Minister that there would not be "any purpose" in a probe after Mr Mitchell apologised for the incident. In a letter to shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, the civil servant wrote: "There clearly remains a genuine difference of view about what words were actually used. "But Andrew Mitchell has acknowledged that his words and behaviour were inappropriate and he failed to show proper respect for the police."

“The news came with Mr Mitchell still struggling to draw a line under last Wednesday's episode, when he is said to have launched a foul-mouthed tirade at officers who stopped him riding his bicycle out of the main Downing Street gates. The MP reiterated his regret when he ventured in front of cameras for the first time on Monday morning. However, he pointedly refused to answer questions about whether he had branded the police "plebs" - as their leaked written records of the exchange suggest. In the letter, Sir Jeremy revealed that the head of security at Number 10 and the Prime Minister's principal private secretary Chris Martin had spoken to the police sergeant involved.”

“The Prime Minister spoke to Andrew Mitchell and made very clear that his behaviour fell short of what he expects of his ministers. (Mr Mitchell) then phoned the police officer in question to apologise personally and he has since reiterated his apology in public. The officer has accepted his apology," the mandarin wrote. Sir Jeremy went on: "I have subsequently discussed the matter with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe. Like the Prime Minister he is obviously very disappointed at the lack of respect shown towards the police and agrees that the behaviour fell short of what the police should expect, in particular from members of the Government. However, in light of the apology given, and also the fact that the officer concerned has accepted the apology and does not wish to pursue the matter further, the Metropolitan Commissioner reiterated that no further action would be taken.”

See...big hoo-ha. Nothing doing.

So, beyond stating the obvious...

That worse has been said, about our mum's;
That the use of the word pleb is a new one on 99.9% of all coppers
and;
That if someone thinks a police officer is a pleb...then what does that person think of those who generally need us most?

...there really is nothing much else to say...

Is he a nice bloke? Can't tell you. Did he call police officers plebs? Wasn't there, so honestly don't know.

Is the hyena of morality at the gate? Judging by the headlines, yes. Braying too.

Is the wolf at the end of the street? Now that is a good question and: it is not one that the answer to can be found, by dwelling on a word.

If you, like me, are more interested in what the wolf is up to; then I suggest you slam the gate and leave the Hyena screeching to itself.

….If you would like to read more, The Rest Is Silence is available now:

Print Edition via Lulu:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/james-patrick/the-rest-is-silence/paperback/product-20448205.html

EBook for Kindle and the Kindle iApp / Android App:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Rest-Is-Silence-ebook/dp/B009NZ2VG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1350207584&sr=1-1

Proceeds, from sales of both versions, go to the charity Care of Police Survivors.

JP.