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Cornwall councillor John Dyer accused of 'advocating rape' Cornwall councillor John Dyer accused of 'advocating rape'
(about 5 hours later)
A councillor who told a meeting "If a lady says no, she means perhaps," has been accused of "advocating rape".A councillor who told a meeting "If a lady says no, she means perhaps," has been accused of "advocating rape".
Cornwall Conservative John Dyer, who went on to say " if a lady says perhaps she means yes", has been condemned by colleagues and campaigners.Cornwall Conservative John Dyer, who went on to say " if a lady says perhaps she means yes", has been condemned by colleagues and campaigners.
Labour councillor Hanna Toms said the comments were "prehistoric and offensive" and called on Mr Dyer to consider his position.Labour councillor Hanna Toms said the comments were "prehistoric and offensive" and called on Mr Dyer to consider his position.
Mr Dyer called the row "a storm in a teacup" but is considering apologising.Mr Dyer called the row "a storm in a teacup" but is considering apologising.
Speaking at the strategic planning meeting, Mr Dyer said: "I'm very fond of the old saying that if a lady says no she means perhaps, if a lady says perhaps she means yes, but if a lady says yes, she's no lady."Speaking at the strategic planning meeting, Mr Dyer said: "I'm very fond of the old saying that if a lady says no she means perhaps, if a lady says perhaps she means yes, but if a lady says yes, she's no lady."
The 72-year-old former vice-chairman of Cornwall Council made the comments while expressing his frustration at agenda items being withdrawn at short notice.The 72-year-old former vice-chairman of Cornwall Council made the comments while expressing his frustration at agenda items being withdrawn at short notice.
'Horrified and disgusted''Horrified and disgusted'
Mr Dyer said he had not meant to cause offence and was considering whether to make a public apology.Mr Dyer said he had not meant to cause offence and was considering whether to make a public apology.
John Keeling, chairman of the Conservative Group at Cornwall Council, said he was temporarily removing Mr Dyer from the strategic planning committee while the matter was investigated.John Keeling, chairman of the Conservative Group at Cornwall Council, said he was temporarily removing Mr Dyer from the strategic planning committee while the matter was investigated.
But Ms Toms said she was "absolutely horrified and disgusted".But Ms Toms said she was "absolutely horrified and disgusted".
She said: "Perhaps Mr Dyer needs to understand that what he is advocating in this comment when taken to its logical conclusion is rape."She said: "Perhaps Mr Dyer needs to understand that what he is advocating in this comment when taken to its logical conclusion is rape."
Possible investigation
Sarah Green, from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said public figures "should be leading the fight to change these views, not trivialising them".Sarah Green, from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said public figures "should be leading the fight to change these views, not trivialising them".
She said: "In our courts, in our communities and even among family and friends, women and girls are still judged according to these views which say women do not really mean 'no' and which imply that women lie about rape."She said: "In our courts, in our communities and even among family and friends, women and girls are still judged according to these views which say women do not really mean 'no' and which imply that women lie about rape."
The leader of the Independent-Liberal Democrat coalition authority, John Pollard, said the comments from Mr Dyer were "totally unacceptable and are inconsistent with the standards expected of a Cornwall Councillor".
He said: "I hope that councillor Dyer will now apologise for his remarks. I understand that an investigation into this matter could be carried out by the council's monitoring officer under the authority's code of conduct procedure."