West Mercia Police chief considered quitting over Plebgate

He told a House of Commons Home Affairs Committee the decision to not take any action against Inspector Ken MacKaill would be independently reviewed.

He also revealed he had sent a "profound and unreserved" personal apology to former Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, a gesture today welcomed by Mr Mitchell.

Inspector MacKaill, a West Mercia officer, met with Mr Mitchell in his role as a Police Federation representative.

The meeting came weeks after an altercation at the gates of Downing Street where Mr Mitchell was accused of swearing at police and calling them "plebs" – allegations that he has always denied.

In a briefing after the meeting, Inspector MacKaill, along with two fellow Police Federation members, told journalists Mr Mitchell had refused to elaborate on what he did or did not say and said the minister "had no option" but to resign.

But the MP insisted a tape of the meeting, which he secretly recorded, showed that he apologised for swearing but expressly denied using the word "pleb".

The three officers refused to apologise when giving evidence at the committee yesterday and insisted they had fairly reflected what was said at the meeting.

But Mr Shaw admitted the handling of the affair had been "clumsy" and said it was "only right" that its recommendations should be independently reviewed.

He said: "It has been a horrible experience for everyone, not least for Mr Mitchell, let's not forget.

"Ken MacKaill is a good man who has made a mistake, and he acknowledges that. I have gone public on my endorsement of him as a police officer, but at the same time I am not going to pre-judge the outcome of the next stage."

He admitted he had considered his own position in the light of the affair, adding: "I am the Chief Constable and the buck stops with me. Of course I have thought about my position. This has been the most testing moment in my career, and I have had some pretty testing times out on the streets.

"But I felt there was a more important job to do in getting the public's confidence back. Confidence in the police will have been knocked, there is no doubt about it. "

Mr Mitchell said today: "I'm obviously very grateful to the three chief officers for the apology which they have given to me and my family. As they requested I will be meeting with them in due course."

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