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Original poster

Rape sentencing etc being discussed on PMQs now

112 replies

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 18/05/2011 12:04

Justice Secretary made some stupid remarks this morning, apparently.

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celadon · 20/05/2011 17:38

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AnyF · 20/05/2011 15:30

Great article, thanks for that

Beachcomber · 20/05/2011 14:34

That's a good piece, thanks celadron. I'm going to put the link on the DSK thread too if you don't mind.

celadon · 20/05/2011 13:57

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VictorGollancz · 20/05/2011 10:16

I had a very wobbly moment when I thought I was poised to agree with Melanie Phillips, but luckily she's just started ranting about the 'disgrace' that is our overseas aid programme. Phew!

celadon · 20/05/2011 10:00

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MooncupGoddess · 20/05/2011 09:46

Yes - Shami, while she summed up what KC should have said pretty neatly, and clearly gets the issues, certainly didn't put the boot in as she could have done. I am guessing this is part of a wider game, and that she's trying not to antagonise KC because she wants leverage on civil liberties issues.

Politics, eh? Fortunately Melanie Phillips reverted to type by saying that we should never, ever give money to developing countries.

VictorGollancz · 20/05/2011 08:54

Just watching QT now: she may well rescue herself but, 10 minutes in, I'm bitterly disappointed with Shami's response. She is/was a lawyer, was she not? And therefore might be reliably expected to know that UK law does not recognise date rape. And that Ken Clarke should know this given that he was an MP when they discussed changing rape classifications. And that's just for starters.

magicmummy1 · 19/05/2011 23:39

Celadon - gosh, glad it wasn't just me then!

celadon · 19/05/2011 23:35

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celadon · 19/05/2011 23:35

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MooncupGoddess · 19/05/2011 22:54

Not terribly convinced by KC's attempts to defend himself on Question Time - he has clearly been kicked up the arse by Tory HQ and keeps saying he 'phrased his comments badly' but doesn't apologise for his references to 'proper' and 'serious rape' 'with an unwilling woman' (not to mention his incorrect language re underage sex).

Sigh. Not impressed. But in most ways he is one of the more reasonable Tories so I would have mixed feelings if he was chucked out and replaced with a swivel-eyed rightist.

SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 15:05

I didn't read the guidelines lion.

That is really shocking, I had no idea that was the case.

TheCowardlyLion · 19/05/2011 15:04

Read SardineQueen's link to the BBC article - v. interesting. I realised I didn't know that this was in the CPS sentencing guidelines though:

Mitigating factor: Victim engaged in consensual sexual activity with the offender on the same occasion and immediately before the offence

So is that implying that some rapes are indeed 'less serious'? I am very uncomfortable with the idea of 'mitigating factors' and this one - that saying 'yes' once makes your saying 'no' the next time somehow less meaningful - disturbing.

Original poster
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2011 14:52

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/1218279-URGENT-Would-you-like-to-be-on-ITV-News-At-Ten-talking-about-Ken-Clarke if anyone wants to talk about this on the news tonight?

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SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 13:58

Article on BBC website here quite good.

haven't looked at the comments Grin

flyingcloud that link says to go away if you are in the UK! Sad

flyingcloud · 19/05/2011 10:55

I have been reminded about the debates that went on in the US recently and this

SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 10:38

"HA! Not all rapes are as bad. Maybe there should be classifications..."

Is what people are saying. Not to be read that I think there should be classifications.

SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 10:38

wright stuff descended into rape myths etc

KC has really muddied the waters by claiming that an 18 yo having consensual sex with a 15yo is committing statutory rape and could well go to prison. Everyone is using that as a point of reference to say HA! Not all rapes are as bad. Maybe there should be classifications...

Angry

AND they finished the piece by saying women and girls should follow standard safety precautions like not walking alone after dark ARGH!!!!

ChristinedePizan · 19/05/2011 10:27

I'm not sure I can cope with watching Melanie Phillips live. Just hearing her on the Moral Maze has meant I've had to put my radio in a cupboard to stop me hurling it across the room

SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 10:22

Just watching the wright stuff Blush

Anita Dobson is great!

celadon · 19/05/2011 10:03

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Original poster
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2011 10:01

According the their website it's Jack Straw, Melanie Phillips (oh the joy) and the marvellous Shami Chakrabarti. It's in Wormwood Scrubs tonight as well - no doubt some of the audience will be thrilled to hear about Ken's plans to let them out early.

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celadon · 19/05/2011 08:45

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SardineQueen · 19/05/2011 08:10

Ken Clarke will be on question time tonight