Leading Tory backbencher who was assaulted by policeman in pub toilet ‘had criticised police investigation into local farmer’

By
Damien Gayle

07:05 EST, 4 July 2012

|

13:11 EST, 4 July 2012


Altercation: Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wreckin, was assaulted by a police officer in a pub toilet

Altercation: Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wreckin, was assaulted by a police officer in a pub toilet

A leading Tory MP who was assaulted in a pub toilet by a detective had allegedly criticised police over their handling of an investigation into a local farmer.

Mark Pritchard was pushed to the floor by Detective Sergeant Graham Cooper in the toilets of the Huntsman pub in Little Wenlock, Shropshire.

Det Sgt Cooper, who is based at Telford with West Mercia Police, yesterday accepted an official caution over the assault and now faces internal disciplinary proceedings.

However, today it was claimed that Mr Pritchard – a former secretary of the influential 1922 Committee – had criticised officers over their handling of a complaint he had made prior to the incident.

Witnesses in the Huntsman pub recalled seeing Mr Pritchard, 44, rowing with Paul Spendlove, a local businessmen and farmer, before the assault by Det Sgt Cooper.

But Mr Pritchard insists he didn’t argue with the officer, alleging the assault was unprovoked.

Mr Spendlove told the Daily Telegraph that Mr Pritchard had complained to the police about his driving and was not happy with the response.

The businessman then wrote to the Chief Constable, accusing Mr Pritchard of an ‘abuse of privilege and undue influence,’ the Telegraph reported.

On May 31, the day of the assault, Mr Spendlove said he saw the MP drinking in the pub and confronted him over the complaint, leading to a ‘heated discussion’ between the two men.

Mr Spendlove left after the argument and other witnesses said Mr Pritchard went on to criticise the police, saying he would take the case even further.

Then, when Mr Pritchard went to the toilet, Det Sgt Cooper followed him and pushed him in the back of the head and on to the ground.

The politician’s spokesman told MailOnline he went to AE to seek treatment for his injuries. While he was there he spoke to some other policemen who advised him to report the incident.

Pictures were taken of Mr Pritchard’s injuries and Det Sgt Cooper was arrested and charged with assault. He was due to appear in court today but West Mercia police said he had accepted a caution instead.

‘We can confirm that Det Sgt Graham Cooper has received a caution for common assault following an incident in Little Wenlock on 31st May this year,’ a spokesman told MailOnline, adding that the officer was also subject to ‘ongoing’ disciplinary proceedings.

Quiet country watering hole: The Huntsman pub in Little Wenlock, where Mr Pritchard was attacked by Det Sgt Graham Cooper of West Mercia Police

Quiet country watering hole: The Huntsman pub in
Little Wenlock, where Mr Pritchard was attacked by Det Sgt Graham Cooper of West Mercia Police

Mr Pritchard, who is MP for The Wreckin, has been a vocal campaigner for police reform. He recently made headlines by calling on the Home Secretary to reduce the cost to taxpayers of the Association of Chief Police Officers, and demanding reform to the auditing of police expenses claims.

But last night he denied he had publicly criticised the police during the pub incident, telling the Telegraph there were ‘no cross words’ between him and Det Sgt Cooper.

‘This was an unprovoked attack when my back was turned,’ he said. ‘It has made me all the more determined to speak out against police misconduct.’

However, another witness has contradicted Mr Pritchard’s version of events, saying that as the politician began his criticism of the police Det Sgt Cooper tried mount a defence of the force.

The witness, who has not been identified, went on to claim that the policeman then asked Mr Pritchard to come to the men’s room for a quiet word.

It was as Mr Pritchard entered the toilets that Det Sgt Cooper gave him ‘a really gentle push to the back’ which caused the MP to trip over his feet and nudge the wall gently, the witness told the Telegraph.

Today Mr Pritchard told MailOnline that this version of events was false and that the witness was not in the toilet and ‘couldn’t possibly have seen what happened.’

A spokesman added that another witness at the scene made a statement to police backing up Mr Pritchard’s account.

Fierce parliamentarian: Mr Pritchard is a former head of the Conservative 1922 Committee and a staunch critic of the Prime Minister

Fierce parliamentarian: Mr Pritchard is a former head of the Conservative 1922 Committee and a staunch critic of the Prime Minister

Mr Pritchard is a vocal critic of the Prime Minister and previously led the 1922 Committee – an influential group of backbench Conservative MPs, which helps to choose the party leader.

Last year he was one of the leading party rebels who defied a three-line whip and voted against the Government over its refusal to allow a referendum on EU withdrawal.

He famously became embroiled in an altercation with the Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow.

Mr Bercow apparently told him to stand aside in a corridor and the Wrekin MP allegedly replied, ‘You’re not f***ing royalty’.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Oh poor little Tory trying to raise his profile, and stirring up even more anti police feelings…. While destroying policing in this country.
I loved the bit where he scurried to AE for advice 🙂

Pin photographs of the top bankers of the banks that have charged customers ppi on the streets where they live too.

Caution!!! He should be charged with assault! and sent to jail and ousted from the force!

Hopefully this will redouble Mr Pritchards efforts to control ACPO. He is wrong to ask for audits, he should be demanding disbandment. Is it coincidental that with their increase in power and political influence the rank and file officers have suffered as have the public. Email Mr Pritchard and offer encouragement.

A Policeman invites a man he is in a discussion with into a toilet for a word!? There should be a root and branch investigation into the Police in the UK. Falling standards of integrity, ability and the public loss of confidence. It starts at the top with over paid senior officers in Political appointments, and ends at the bottom with arrogant offensive officers who the public should not speak to without the benefit of video/audio coverage!

Doesn’t this incident reveal more about the MP than the detective? Perhaps he wanted an audience at his local pub to hear what were essentially personal issues of no national importance. David Cameron seems to be the only one who emerges from this with a smile on his face.

Pity we havnt more MP’s with a bit more bottle like him instead of the lame ducks sitting in parliament most of the time.

Difficult this one who do you believe a politician a conservative one at that or a police officer, interesting to find out which one is lying!!

Det Sgt Cooper, who is based at Telford with West Mercia Police, yesterday accepted an official caution over the assault and now faces internal disciplinary proceedings. ===== which will mean NOTHING happens at all. More disturbing to me is the fact that both sides had witnesses to back up their own point of view – so who was lying? The MP or the Policeman? 30 years ago I would have said the MP is lying but nowadays Police Brutality seems to be so prevalent over all, I am not so sure…..

Stand by for post November, Tory Police Crime Commisioner sacking chief Constable, and putting in one who does as he is told by tory MP.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes