West Mercia Police chief told to 'get a grip' on Plebgate inquiry

His intervention comes after Chief Constable David Shaw came under intense pressure from politicians over the force's version of an interview with Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, who resigned his government post after being accused of calling a Downing Street police officer a "pleb".

After the original allegation, Mr Mitchell met Inspector Ken MacKaill, of West Mercia Police, Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton, of Warwickshire Police, and Sergeant Chris Jones, of West Midlands Police – acting on behalf of the Police Federation – at his constituency office in Sutton Coldfield.

A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission has now suggested that in their report of that meeting the officers tried to discredit Mr Mitchell.

After investigation by the three forces, none of the officers has been disciplined, although pressure for action is now increasing in light of the IPCC report and the Prime Minister has said Mr Mitchell deserves an apology.

Mr Pritchard, Wrekin MP, said: "The chief constable needs to get a grip and discipline the officer involved. If a police officer lies about a cabinet minister what hope is there for everyone else? The chief constable needs to take the appropriate action to restore public trust in the police. This is a test of David Shaw's leadership. The commissioner and chief constable should not run scared of the Police Federation."

At Prime Minister's questions yesterday David Cameron said Mr Mitchell was "owed an apology, the conduct of these officers was not acceptable" and "these things should be properly investigated".

The Prime Minister also backed the stance taken by Home Secretary Theresa May, who has insisted West Mercia Police force was "quite wrong" not to take disciplinary action. West Mercia Police spokeswoman Sarah Buxton said the force would make no further comment before Mr Shaw appeared before the Home Affairs Select Committee in London next week.