Cameron backs chief whip over police slur allegations

Downing St last night resisted calls for an inquiry into chief whip Andrew Mitchell, after the cabinet minister apologised publicly to police officers for subjecting them to a tirade of verbal abuse.

A spokesman said prime minister David Cameron believed Mitchell had done the right thing in apologising, and thinks a line should now be drawn under the affair.

But a senior police representative said Mitchell had effectively accused the officers involved of lying and called on Cameron to hold an investigation.