Call to sack Ken Clarke over 'rape is rape' comment

Ken Clarke was fighting for his political life today after denying that "rape is rape".

It came shortly after the victim of a sex attack broke down in tears as she challenged Mr Clarke on live radio, saying the proposals would be a "disaster".

Downing Street swiftly told a humiliated Mr Clarke to clarify his remarks and make clear that he regards all rape cases as "atrocious" crimes.
A senior No 10 official also hinted that the plan for more lenient sentences for rapists would be shelved after being cleared by a Cabinet committee chaired by Nick Clegg just yesterday.

And female Tory MPs threatened to revolt against the shorter jail terms if Mr Clarke tries to push the proposal through the Commons.

The Justice Secretary triggered a furious row by arguing that there are different types of rape.
Speaking on the BBC Five Live Victoria Derbyshire show, Mr Clarke was grilled over his proposals and claims they could see rapists let out of jail within 15 months.

He dismissed that as total nonsense, adding: "Assuming you and I are talking about rape in the ordinary conversational sense - some man has forcefully with violence..."

Derbyshire intervened, saying: "Rape is rape."
But Mr Clarke responded: "No it's not..."
The Justice Secretary referred to "proper" rapes as he sought to dismiss "scare stories" about his plans, saying: "No one is saying a serious, proper rape case is going to be let out of prison
after 12 months."

During a series of television appearances Mr Clarke said he stood by his comments and accused a presenter of putting an "extraordinary spin" on them. "If you are trying to suggest that I am reducing sentences for rape or I do not regard rape as a serious crime, I can only say that is an absurdity," he said.

But the issue dominated Prime Minister's questions in the Commons. Mr Miliband said the Justice Secretary "cannot speak for the women of this country when he makes comments like that". And he told Mr Cameron that Mr Clarke "should not be in his post at the end of today".

The Prime Minister said he had not heard the Justice Secretary's comments and accused the Labour leader of "jumping on the bandwagon".
Saying action was needed to tackle the "real disgrace" of a six per cent conviction rate for rape, Mr Cameron added: "My view is 'get out there, convict, prosecute and send these people down for a decent period of time'."

Officials quickly stepped in, with a Downing Street aide saying: "I'm sure the Justice Secretary will want to make sure that any interpretation of his comments are set straight on rape."