Plebgate: Andrew Mitchell was 'prone to temper tantrums', says police officer Mr Johnston, a police officer for 29 years who has worked in specialist protection for 15 of them, was giving evidence for News Group Newspapers (NGN) and PC Toby Rowland. Mr Mitchell, 58, is suing NGN for libel over a story about his encounter with PC Rowland in Downing Street on September 19 2012 in the notorious Plebgate affair. He says the report in The Sun, which NGN says is substantially true, meant he was guilty of launching a grossly offensive and arrogant attack at police officers on duty, branding them "f****** plebs." Asked if he had used the words attributed to him by PC Rowland - "Best you learn your f****** place - you don't run this f****** government - you're f****** plebs" - he has told Mr Justice Mitting: "I did not say those words. I would never call a policeman a pleb, let alone a f****** pleb. He has accepted that he did say, under his breath but audibly, "I thought you lot were supposed to f****** help us," but not at the officer. PC Rowland, who is in turn suing Mr Mitchell over statements he made from December 2012 which he claims accused him of fabricating his allegations, has told the court he gave Mr Mitchell a warning because members of the public were visibly shocked by the MP swearing at him. Inspector Johnston said that, when he met Mr Mitchell at Djerba Airport, the 58-year-old MP for Sutton Coldfield ignored his outstretched hand and said "You must be the hired muscle" before diving into a group of refugees who "could have been anybody." Inspector Johnston said he later told Mr Mitchell that it was not possible to visit Libya as it was not in his mandate and would breach international law. The MP replied: "That's a bit above your pay grade Mr Plod," said the officer. Inspector Johnston told the court: "I don't think that the Mr Plod comment particularly upset me - I've been called a lot worse in my service. I don't think it was said to be unpleasant. It was either just misplaced humour or a put-down. He added that, on the Somalia trip, Mr Mitchell launched in to a "foul mouthed tirade" as soon as he was met at the airport. He completely lost control of himself; so much so that I can't remember exactly what was said but he basically raised issues and questioned our actions and motives about the explanations given to the changes. He used a tirade of language that came quick and fast and was just swearing for the sake of swearing.  Meanwhile, Lee Bryer, who used to be a security officer at Black Rod's Garden at Westminster, said that he had to yell out when Mr Mitchell cycled very fast through the closing exit barrier in November 2005, at a time of heightened security after the London bombings. When he asked the MP to identify himself and explain why he had not stopped, Mr Mitchell replied: "I am a member of parliament and I am too important to stop for you," said Mr Bryer. When Mr Bryer said he did not care who he was, Mr Mitchell allegedly told him: "Stop being so aggressive you little s***." Mr Mitchell's counsel, James Price QC, said that he had no recollection of the exchange, which he branded a "caricature." The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday when counsel will make their closing submissions before the judge rules, on Thursday, on the meaning of the words complained of and whether they were substantially true.