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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The Home Secretary "jokes" about spiking his wifes drink with Rohypnol

387 replies

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 09:41

As the other thread has been automatically hidden

"James Cleverly has apologised for joking about spiking his wife’s drink with a date rape drug in comments made at a Downing Street reception.
The home secretary’s remarks came just hours after the Home Office announced plans to crack down on spiking, when someone puts drugs into another person’s drink or directly into their body without their knowledge or consent.

Cleverly told female guests at the reception that “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not really illegal if it’s only a little bit”, the Sunday Mirror reported.
He also laughed that the secret to a long marriage was ensuring your spouse was “someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there”."

So much to say about this

Home Office | Politics | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/home-office

OP posts:
Fluffytoebeanz · 24/12/2023 09:43

Absolutely livid.

Sloth66 · 24/12/2023 09:45

The Home Secretary, a man responsible for Law and Order, finds assault on women a cause for a joke. Horrible.

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 09:45

Why say it?
Why say it to political journalists?
How did they react - when a man of power makes such an awful "joke"?
And well done to the Sunday Mirror for reporting it

OP posts:
Somatosensational · 24/12/2023 09:46

As someone who has experienced having their drink spiked and went into respiratory arrest, this made me blood boil. He should give it a try for himself. He won't be 'joking' about it then.

Amara123 · 24/12/2023 09:46

Absolutely disgusting.
This stuff is barely hidden under the surface isn't it?

endofthelinefinally · 24/12/2023 09:46

Utterly shameful. Why was the other thread hidden?

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 09:47

endofthelinefinally · 24/12/2023 09:46

Utterly shameful. Why was the other thread hidden?

Probably automatic as people reported it without knowing the context

OP posts:
JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots · 24/12/2023 09:48

Jesus Christ. Just when you think they can't drop any lower.

twinklystar23 · 24/12/2023 09:49

Hoping he gets kicked out and his wife LTB

Goatymum · 24/12/2023 09:50

That is horrific - many a true word spoken in jest & all that.

VillanellesCoat · 24/12/2023 09:51

He’s apologised?! Not immediately resigned??!!!! Or been sacked?! Fucking outrageous but sadly not surprising.

endofthelinefinally · 24/12/2023 09:53

I knew someone who had their drink spiked and didn't survive. It is the most evil thing. I am just aghast that anyone would joke about this, never mind a politician.

Clawdy · 24/12/2023 09:53

Wonder why the other thread was deleted.

Charlie2121 · 24/12/2023 09:53

This current trend of people being permanently offended is tiresome.

I think people rely on it to cover up deficiencies in their own lives. Attack anyone who says or does something misguided in an attempt to gain the moral high ground. It’s a dull way to exist.

We have created a society where people claim that any transgression by another is totally reprehensible. If results in a 2 tier society where personal and public facing personas are totally different.

Would you be happy if every single personal message and conversation you ever had was published? I’d wager that literally everyone will have said and done something inappropriate.

NamechangeForthisquestion1 · 24/12/2023 09:55

Hope he gets sacked but doubt he will, this is standard Tory behaviour. Disgusting. General election Now!

Somatosensational · 24/12/2023 09:55

Charlie2121 · 24/12/2023 09:53

This current trend of people being permanently offended is tiresome.

I think people rely on it to cover up deficiencies in their own lives. Attack anyone who says or does something misguided in an attempt to gain the moral high ground. It’s a dull way to exist.

We have created a society where people claim that any transgression by another is totally reprehensible. If results in a 2 tier society where personal and public facing personas are totally different.

Would you be happy if every single personal message and conversation you ever had was published? I’d wager that literally everyone will have said and done something inappropriate.

Has it happened to you?

RainbowZebraWarrior · 24/12/2023 09:56

Disgrace of a man. Yet another misogynistic wanker of a tory MP. We shouldn't be surprised, but it's beyond depressing that folk vote for this lot who have zero respect for women.

Wondering who the fuck the 18% are that think you ABU

Dotjones · 24/12/2023 09:57

It's just a joke. Like when a man's friends say "he's punching above his weight" because he has an attractive wife. I'm not offended by this. It's not even like he's making a cruel joke about someone else, the point of the joke is that he's saying he's the loser who is lucky to be with the woman he is with.

Pushkinini · 24/12/2023 09:57

In times past this would have been a resignation issue. This lot are so arrogant and think they are untouchable so no doubt he'll stay in post. Appalling comments.

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 09:58

Charlie2121 · 24/12/2023 09:53

This current trend of people being permanently offended is tiresome.

I think people rely on it to cover up deficiencies in their own lives. Attack anyone who says or does something misguided in an attempt to gain the moral high ground. It’s a dull way to exist.

We have created a society where people claim that any transgression by another is totally reprehensible. If results in a 2 tier society where personal and public facing personas are totally different.

Would you be happy if every single personal message and conversation you ever had was published? I’d wager that literally everyone will have said and done something inappropriate.

The Home Secretary makes a "joke" about date rape drugs to a group of political journalists.

What does that say about him and his judgement?

OP posts:
RainbowZebraWarrior · 24/12/2023 09:59

Charlie2121 · 24/12/2023 09:53

This current trend of people being permanently offended is tiresome.

I think people rely on it to cover up deficiencies in their own lives. Attack anyone who says or does something misguided in an attempt to gain the moral high ground. It’s a dull way to exist.

We have created a society where people claim that any transgression by another is totally reprehensible. If results in a 2 tier society where personal and public facing personas are totally different.

Would you be happy if every single personal message and conversation you ever had was published? I’d wager that literally everyone will have said and done something inappropriate.

I used to be a manager in the Civil Service. Openly stating these sort of views as Cleverly has, would have likely been reported and resulted in disciplinary measures.

It's not being permanently offended. It's expecting those that govern to have some basic decency.

God, the bar is so low.

lavenderlou · 24/12/2023 10:00

Dotjones · 24/12/2023 09:57

It's just a joke. Like when a man's friends say "he's punching above his weight" because he has an attractive wife. I'm not offended by this. It's not even like he's making a cruel joke about someone else, the point of the joke is that he's saying he's the loser who is lucky to be with the woman he is with.

Those two things are not remotely comparable.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 24/12/2023 10:02

Dotjones · 24/12/2023 09:57

It's just a joke. Like when a man's friends say "he's punching above his weight" because he has an attractive wife. I'm not offended by this. It's not even like he's making a cruel joke about someone else, the point of the joke is that he's saying he's the loser who is lucky to be with the woman he is with.

You are not offended by this. You think it's fine to make jokes about violence against women. You are entitled to your opinion.

I am offended by this because I don't think date rape is a joking matter. I suspect that the vast majority of women - and all decent men - would agree with me.

whatsitcalledwhen · 24/12/2023 10:02

Charlie2121 · 24/12/2023 09:53

This current trend of people being permanently offended is tiresome.

I think people rely on it to cover up deficiencies in their own lives. Attack anyone who says or does something misguided in an attempt to gain the moral high ground. It’s a dull way to exist.

We have created a society where people claim that any transgression by another is totally reprehensible. If results in a 2 tier society where personal and public facing personas are totally different.

Would you be happy if every single personal message and conversation you ever had was published? I’d wager that literally everyone will have said and done something inappropriate.

Private conversations and messages?

He said it at an event. A Downing Street event. In his role as Home Secretary.

Hours after making a statement promoting anti spiking measures.

How is that the same as a civilian's private conversations and messages?

PowerTulle · 24/12/2023 10:03

It’s not about being permanently offended charlie, it’s completely inappropriate and unprofessional in his role. Most people in senior public facing jobs would be on a disciplinary for that.