Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has temporarily returned from his Christmas holiday to deal with the "plebgate" affair.
Scotland Yard said he had concerns over the welfare of the officers involved.
The row broke out after the then Tory chief whip Andrew Mitchell was accused of calling police officers "plebs" during an argument at Downing Street.
He later resigned, but has now told the Sunday Times he was the victim of a ploy to "toxify" the Tories.
'Stitch-up'In the newspaper article, Mr Mitchell gives his version of the alleged altercation outside the main gates of Downing Street on 19 September.
He admits swearing after a police officer refused to let him exit through the main gate with his bicycle, but not directly at the officer, and insists he did not lose his temper or "rail against police".
He added: "These awful toxic phrases which were hung round my neck for weeks and weeks in a sustained attempt to toxify the Conservative Party and destroy my career were completely and totally untrue."
Mr Mitchell went on to tell the paper that he had lost "more than a stone" in weight in the first three weeks of the affair, and that his wife Sharon lost "almost as much".
He also speaks of how "on several days I simply could not get out of bed" because of the stress involved and how "night-time was the worst".
- 19 September - Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell allegedly calls police officers "plebs" during argument in Downing Street
- 20 September - The story is revealed in the Sun
- 21 September - Mr Mitchell denies using word "plebs" but apologises for being disrespectful to police
- 17 October - Labour leader Ed Miliband says Mr Mitchell is "toast", as poor media coverage continues
- 19 October - Mr Mitchell resigns
- 15 December - Police officer arrested on suspicion of misconduct
- 18 December - CCTV coverage casts doubt on police officers' version of events
- 19 December - 23-year-old man arrested
"We would sleep for two hours and then wake, tossing and turning for the rest of the night as I contemplated the destruction of my career," he said.
The row began when an official police log of the incident was leaked to the media. It suggests Mr Mitchell used a number of expletives, telling the police, "you don't run this government", "learn your place", and calling the officers "plebs".
According to the note, members of the public looking on were "visibly shocked".
A serving Met police constable was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on 15 December, and has been suspended from the force over allegedly giving a false account of the incident.
Channel 4 News claimed the off-duty officer sent an email, purporting to be from a member of the public who witnessed the row, to deputy chief whip John Randall who then subsequently passed it to Number 10.
CCTV footage of the incident suggests no-one other than the officers involved were within earshot of the altercation.
Mr Mitchell said the content of the email was "completely untrue" and had left him "devastated" and the victim of a "stitch-up".
In a statement, the Met Police said that Mr Hogan-Howe would use his return from leave to "take the opportunity to be briefed on any developments with the investigation".
It said the commissioner was "maintaining an open mind" regarding the conclusions of the investigation - which is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission - and was determined to leave "no stone unturned".
A second man, a 23-year-old member of the public, was also arrested last week in connection with the incident. He has been released on bail.
'Fabricated evidence'The Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - has launched a review into its handling of the row, following controversy over officers in the West Midlands who allegedly campaigned against Mr Mitchell.
It will appoint an independent figure to carry out the inquiry in the new year.
The prime minister, meanwhile, has rejected criticism said to come from allies of Mr Mitchell, who has claimed in newspapers that Mr Cameron left his Tory colleague "swinging in the wind".
A spokesman for the PM said he had "deep sympathy" for the former chief whip after claims emerged suggesting the possibility of "fabricated evidence against him".
He added: "The prime minister stood behind his chief whip through weeks of growing demands to sack him. It was only when it became clear that he could no longer do his job that his resignation was accepted with reluctance.
"The prime minister, and Andrew Mitchell, were deeply shocked to be informed that the police were investigating allegations that a serving police officer had lied about the events."
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