Keir Starmer says Rape investigations 'undermined by belief that false accusations are rife'

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

This bit makes me a little worried

"Following completion of the CPS study, false allegation cases involving rape and domestic violence will no longer routinely be referred to the DPP. "These cases will now be handled by [CPS] areas rather than headquarters, but we will continue to have an assurance regime where reports are sent in every six months," Starmer said."

When they were all being referred to Keir's department I felt more comfortable; I don't know exactly why but I have trust in him.

This bit is very interesting I thought

Of 159 suspects linked to allegedly false claims referred to the CPS between January 2011 and May 2012, 92% were women. Nearly half of them were 21 or under. One surprise was that in 38% of those investigations, the initial complaint of rape or domestic violence was made by someone other than the suspect. Among those under 18 it was 50% and often involved a parent

[LineRunner]

Yes, I've had identical shit response from the BBC.

I hope everyone takes their complaint further up the food chain.

[FastidiaBlueberry]

How so we do that?

[LineRunner]

I have got my MP to agree to write to Keir Starmer about the misrepresentation of the report in the BBC's 'context'.

That's one route.

Also Press Complaints Commission.

And is Tony Hall still the DG of the BBC?

[JacqueslePeacock]

Wow Linerunner that's great work.

I think Hall is due to start as DG shortly.

[LineRunner]

Thanks, Jacques.

I know people often dismiss the 'I'm writing to my MP' route, but:

An MP's letters are 'VIP tracked' by public bodies and the MP ought to receive a reply within 5 working days;

A decent MP will send the crap reply to the constituent and ask, how would you like me to reply to this piece of crap?

...and keep following it up. With more letters. Sometimes with questions in Parliament or in committees, Early Day Motions and Adjourment Debates.

Also journalists track this kind of thing. Private Eye are keen on exposing hypocrisy in public bodies, for example.

[ArmyOfPenguins]

I've made a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission. Encouraging others to do likewise.

[ArmyOfPenguins]

Yes, someone write to Private Eye! I don't feel I could word it right. Might have a go ...

[SirEdmundFrillary]

I've sent an email to the BBC and a letter. A Letter (!) No reply to either.

[SirEdmundFrillary]

I doubt the PCC will help, but they should.

[SirEdmundFrillary]

I only heard R4 Today Prog and was struck by the slant of their reporting, twice - the first time with John Humphreys and a couple of days later by Sarah Montague. It was noticeable - they're not worried about getting stuck in when it suits them.

The Keir Starmer love-in is all very well but he should be asked the questions that need asking.

[LineRunner]

He was - he was asked the questions on here.

[LittleWhiteWolf]

I had the same reply last night (or rather I saw it last night, have been poorly all weekend) and I'm still furious. I'm glad I found this thread again; I want to know where else to complain and I knew you lot would know where to go.

[Dozer]

The reply makes it even worse. Have they learned nothing?

[SlowlorisIncognito]

I am a little late on the bandwagon, but have just seen this. I sent a complaint to the BBC as well. The angle of the reporting is apalling!

[addressio]

Complain to the BBC about what?

[SirEdmundFrillary]

LineRunner, I agree with you, I'm not arguing with you, I'm arguing with them.

I thought what they said was good but they've been saying good things for a long time and it hasn't affected anything, so why should this one now? Is what I'm asking.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

They're talking about this on Feedback. I don't know if I've missed it as I've just tuned in but it'll be available on the website afterwards.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

It's available now, the newsbeat story is the first item.

Chris Smith came out with the same old flannel about having planned the story for ages and insisted it was a balanced piece.

[SirEdmundFrillary]

My point was this:

He's been DPP since 2008. He said, this year, that in 2009 they could have prosecuted some of the Saville cases and seems to have conceded there was a slant towards skepticism towards the child victims.

It's good that has been accepted but it's taken a celebrity interest to get them to listen when some people have been questioning them for some time and they've vigorously defended the policies they now say they've scrapped (according to their press release).

I don't think it's him, as a person, I agree he seems to be interested. But the CPS has, at least since 2000, issued a lot of stuff about how much they do to help this. Why should this one be different? I hope it will. I'm waiting to see.