Andrew Mitchell faces the inevitable

Two days ago I sent this tweet:

Whatever the rights and wrongs of #gategate how can Andrew Mitchell stay in post? A chief whip has to be a figure of authority - he has none
— Jonathan Calder (@lordbonkers) October 17, 2012

This evening, in his resignation letter, Mitchell wrote:

Over the last two days it has become clear to me that whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter I will not be able to fulfil my duties as we would both wish.

I am not gloating over his fall - the Police Federation has not won my admiration over this affair - but he really was a fool.

A chief whip should be a largely anonymous figure, working behind the scenes. Francis Urquhart is a good role model.