£500,000 ‘Plebgate’ sting in tail for Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell has suffered a major setback in his ‘Plebgate’ legal battle after judges upheld a ruling that he will not be able to claim back more than £500,000 in costs even if he wins.

The ex-Cabinet minister has insisted he wants to push ahead with his libel case against The Sun and put PC Toby Rowland in the witness box so both men have to swear on oath to their contradictory versions of the spat in Downing Street last year.

But the Court of Appeal this morning refused to overturn a ruling from High Court judge Master Victoria McCloud imposing the punishment after Mr Mitchell’s lawyers failed to submit a budget for £506,425 of costs on time.

It is unclear whether the MP, who was reported to be on a no-win no fee arrangement, will now need to meet the legal bill from his own pocket.