MP DAVID Davis has led calls for ousted Tory Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell to be "returned to high office" after a policemen was accused of falsifying evidence.
It comes after a Channel 4 investigation cast doubts on the official account of a row in which the former Cabinet minister apparently called police officers "plebs".
The Haltemprice and Howden MP, a friend of Mr Mitchell, said there had been a "clear presumption" in the media the police were "saints" and the former chief whip among "the sinners".
He said: "We've had a really serious injustice. He should be returned to high office.
"His reputation's been traduced, he's lost his job. His career's come to an end, to all intents and purposes.
"That's pretty tough on the basis of something that may not now be the way it looked at the beginning."
Channel 4 News obtained CCTV footage of the incident, which began when Mr Mitchell asked police to let him cycle out of Downing Street's main gates back in September.
The Channel 4 report also alleged a serving police officer sent an email, purporting to be from a member of the public who witnessed the row between Mr Mitchell and Downing Street officers.
But the footage suggests no one other than the officers involved was within earshot of Mr Mitchell during the incident.
The email was sent to Deputy Chief Whip John Randall, who passed it on to No 10. A Diplomatic Protection Squad officer was arrested on Saturday for alleged misconduct in public office.
Mr Davis said the email should have been investigated in more detail by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, as this was "not exactly Sherlock Holmes" and that No 10 had made "daft decisions".
Mr Mitchell has always denied using the word "pleb" but admitted losing his temper and swearing at officers.
He has now called for an inquiry, while Downing Street said the allegations over police conduct were "exceptionally serious".
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The allegation that a serving police officer fabricated evidence is extremely serious. It goes to the very heart of the public's trust in the police service."
