Ed Miliband called on David Cameron to sack Ken Clarke today after the justice secretary's remarks about rape in a BBC radio interview this morning.
Ed Miliband called on David Cameron to sack Ken Clarke today after the justice secretary’s remarks about rape in a BBC radio interview this morning. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Miliband asked Cameron “to take this opportunity to distance himself”, said “the justice secretary should not be in his post by the end of today”, and urged Cameron to “get rid of his justice secretary”.
Clarke made his controversial comments in an interview with Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Radio Five Live.
To the shock of his interviewer, he spoke about “serious rape… rape in the ordinary conversational sense”, claiming it was different from “date rape”.
Then, when Derbyshire said “rape is rape, with respect”, he replied:
“No it’s not.”
Listen to the key excerpts:
And speaking on Boulton & Co. on Sky News this lunchtime, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“You cannot suggest that there is somehow a category of rape in which somehow the woman is willing. Unless he changes his view very rapidly of course he’s got to go.”
63 Responses to “Interviewer: “Rape is rape, with respect”; Ken Clarke: “No it’s not””
modernity blog
RT @leftfootfwd: Interviewer: "Rape is rape, with respect"; Ken Clarke: "No it's not": http://bit.ly/mkxYmG
James
what a non-story – Clarke suggests that “statutory rape” (in his own example, an 18 year old having sex with a consenting 15 year old) isn’t as serious as violent forced rape. It isn’t.
Unfortunately, the right wing press will use this to try and oust one of the more liberal members of the government, who seems to be doing a lot of good work.
Anon E Mouse
RedfishUK – How about you don’t assign some scenario to me that I haven’t said and you actually address the issue being discussed not one of your making. You are making claims about a victim of date rape that you know nothing about. You’re just making up a scenario to suit your flawed position.
How do you know if the people you describe live locally or not? Your comments, perhaps understandable considering some of your previous childish remarks, are typical of the left in knee jerk, ill considered actions.
I made no assumption of a level of violence on a date rape and in fact mentioned that sex with someone below the age of consent may have no violence involved although it is still (rightly) classified as rape.
That is why we have judges Redfish UK and not dogmatic people like you passing sentences.
Do you really have no understanding of our legal system or just want to rant in public forums?
To make the post you have, shows a complete lack of understanding of the complex issues involved here and may I suggest that instead of spending your days dribbling in excitement every time the completely feeble Ed Miliband makes an unintelligible comment in those weird tones, you spend your life getting an education.
Your remarks seem to be severely lacking any type of educated coherence. Grow up RedfishUK – woman have had their lives perhaps permanently damaged and people like you should be ashamed of your comments.
Rape is a serious issue that is not party political and for you to compare one form of rape with another and be so uncaring to not see the difference speaks volumes about your character…
Charles
Actually James, from what I’ve seen the right is backing Clarke. It’s the luvie echo chamber of twitter that is seeking to lynch him.
mr. Sensible
Although I’m Labour I have a reasonable amount of respect for Mr Clark; you don’t get to stay in your seat for 40 years for nothing, but he’s got this totally wrong.