Over at the Royal Courts of Justice the judge – Mr Justice Warby – ruled that 9 of Mitchell’s 16 previous incidents with police officers were admissible as evidence. A blow to Mitchell who tried to block the evidence being put before the Court. It got worse for Mitchell, he also banned the former Chief Whip from discussing “reputational damage, hurt feelings and the effect generally on Mr Mitchell of the Plebgate affair” at the upcoming trial.

Mr Justice Warby said evidence from Mitchell’s chums; Lord Coe, Sir Richard Ottaway MP and others expressing doubt Mr Mitchell would ever use the word ’pleb’, would be permitted. Submissions about Metropolitan Police officers creating fake witnesses were refused.

Mitchell will give evidence first, and the trial of the preliminary issues in the case is set for 17 November. Having switched lawyers word has it that Mitchell is directing his new lawyers closely…