UK: Andrew Mitchell lined up to be next European Commissioner

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell is poised for a dramatic comeback in frontline politics - as a £250,000-a-year European Commissioner.

Conservative MP Mr Mitchell resigned from his post as Chief Whip last October after being accused of calling a Downing Street policeman 'a f***ing pleb'.

The disputed claims prompted the so-called 'Plebgate' row and drew an angry response from officers, with the Police Federation leading the calls for his sacking.

But the rehabilitation of Mr Mitchell, who always strenuously denied making the insult, has been on the cards after it emerged a key email accusing him of swearing had been sent by a Number 10 policeman - who had not been present at the time of the altercation.

The MP admitted swearing in 'frustration', telling the officers: "I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us" - but insisted he did not swear at the cops themselves, as officers stopped him riding his bike through the main Downing Street gates.

Prime Minister David Cameron has now offered him the EU post when Baroness Ashton finishes her term as foreign affairs envoy next year.

The offer was said to have been made over a lunch with Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha at Chequers – a signal from Number 10 that Mr Mitchell's political comeback may now be underway.

A well-placed source said: "The PM believes Andrew is ideal for the job.

"He won considerable respect worldwide for his negotiating skills as Secretary of State for International Development, he knows about finance through his banking background, and his record in the Whips Office shows he is not scared to bash heads to get a result."

Interviewed on BBC1's Sunday Politics programme, Mr Mitchell confirmed that he had met Mr Cameron.

He said: "I do see the Prime Minister from time to time."

He added: "There is a very important job to be done in Europe to make sure that Europe changes in the interests of everyone in Europe but also in the interests of Britain."

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http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/andrew-mitchell-eyes-european-commissioner-role-after-plebgate-row-8518305.html

Andrew Mitchell calls for reforms to 'closed and overregulated' European Union

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/9882348/Andrew-Mitchell-calls-for-reforms-to-closed-and-overregulated-European-Union.html