Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the report from the Home Affairs Select Committee on the meeting between Andrew Mitchell and representatives of the Police Federation in the West Midlands, said:

“The Select Committee have done an important job in laying bare the failure of the process to deal with the Sutton Coldfield meeting between Andrew Mitchell and police officers last October. This case should now be independently re-determined.

"Their report is serious and troubling, not just for the officers and forces involved, but for the system of police standards and accountability which has failed in this case. Andrew Mitchell has already waited too long for the result of these investigations and these events are casting a long shadow over the vital and much valued work police officers do across the country. That is why reforms are needed.

"The evidence from the Select Committee also shows that the current system of accountability and standards in policing is completely inadequate. For the IPCC as police watchdog to be unable to take over serious cases where it disagrees with the police due to both lack of powers and lack of resources is completely unsustainable.

"We have argued for years that the framework of standards, investigations and complaints is in need of reform. A new Police Standards Authority is needed with stronger powers and a pro-active culture - simply giving more resources for the IPCC will not be good enough. Lord Stevens’ review into the future of policing will set out major reforms in this area and will report this month.”