British MP loses libel case over foul-mouthed rant

Former British government minister Andrew Mitchell on Thursday lost a lawsuit accusing a policeman of lying about an angry exchange they had which cost the lawmaker his job. A judge ruled that Mitchell probably did refer to constable Toby Rowland as a "pleb" as he was leaving the prime minister's office in Downing Street on his bicycle in 2012.
"I am satisfied, at least on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Mitchell did speak the words alleged, or something so close to them as to amount to the same, including the politically toxic word 'pleb'", judge John Mitting said. The scandal forced Mitchell to resign from his position as the ruling Conservative Party's senior MP in the House of Commons and his political career is considered over, although the 58-year-old is still a member of parliament.