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Ken Clarke to face more rape row questions | Ken Clarke to face more rape row questions |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke will face more questions over his comments on rape on BBC's Question Time later, which comes from inside a prison. | Justice Secretary Ken Clarke will face more questions over his comments on rape on BBC's Question Time later, which comes from inside a prison. |
In a BBC radio interview about sentencing he referred to "serious rape" - suggesting some rapes were less serious than others. | In a BBC radio interview about sentencing he referred to "serious rape" - suggesting some rapes were less serious than others. |
Mr Clarke later said he had made the "wrong choice of words". | |
Question Time will be broadcast from Wormwood Scrubs in west London, with inmates included in the audience. | Question Time will be broadcast from Wormwood Scrubs in west London, with inmates included in the audience. |
Resignation call | Resignation call |
Mr Clarke was confronted on the radio phone-in show by sex attack victim Gabrielle Browne. | Mr Clarke was confronted on the radio phone-in show by sex attack victim Gabrielle Browne. |
Mrs Browne, who has waived her right to anonymity, told the Daily Telegraph: "Ken Clarke didn't listen. His comment about not all rapes really being rape was disgraceful for a man in his position, a man of previous ministerial experience and previous experience as a barrister. | Mrs Browne, who has waived her right to anonymity, told the Daily Telegraph: "Ken Clarke didn't listen. His comment about not all rapes really being rape was disgraceful for a man in his position, a man of previous ministerial experience and previous experience as a barrister. |
"He did not show empathy or understanding. If he can't open his eyes and ears and listen and see life from a victim's perspective then he should resign." | "He did not show empathy or understanding. If he can't open his eyes and ears and listen and see life from a victim's perspective then he should resign." |
Mr Clarke has not apologised for his remarks in general, but he has written to Mrs Browne saying: "I have always believed that all rape is extremely serious, and must be treated as such. | Mr Clarke has not apologised for his remarks in general, but he has written to Mrs Browne saying: "I have always believed that all rape is extremely serious, and must be treated as such. |
"I am sorry if my comments gave you any other impression or upset you." | "I am sorry if my comments gave you any other impression or upset you." |
Jail terms | Jail terms |
Labour leader Ed Miliband had said Mr Clarke should quit for effectively suggesting there were "other categories of rape". | Labour leader Ed Miliband had said Mr Clarke should quit for effectively suggesting there were "other categories of rape". |
David Cameron told MPs rape was "one of the most serious crimes that there is and it should be met with proper punishment" and the "real disgrace" was that only 6% of reported rape cases ended in a conviction. | David Cameron told MPs rape was "one of the most serious crimes that there is and it should be met with proper punishment" and the "real disgrace" was that only 6% of reported rape cases ended in a conviction. |
The prime minister's spokesman said it was "clearly regrettable" if anybody had been offended by Mr Clarke's comments but said the PM had confidence in him. | The prime minister's spokesman said it was "clearly regrettable" if anybody had been offended by Mr Clarke's comments but said the PM had confidence in him. |
The row began on Wednesday morning with remarks Mr Clarke gave in an interview on BBC Radio 5 live about proposals under consultation to halve jail terms for people who plead guilty early, including rapists. | The row began on Wednesday morning with remarks Mr Clarke gave in an interview on BBC Radio 5 live about proposals under consultation to halve jail terms for people who plead guilty early, including rapists. |
Mr Clarke seemed to make a distinction between sentencing for different kinds of rape crimes. | Mr Clarke seemed to make a distinction between sentencing for different kinds of rape crimes. |
In later interviews Mr Clarke said the "most extraordinary spin" had been put on his comments and he had been responding to average sentence figures that were put to him. | In later interviews Mr Clarke said the "most extraordinary spin" had been put on his comments and he had been responding to average sentence figures that were put to him. |
The Question Time audience will include 10 inmates and 10 prison staff as well as 100 members of the public. | The Question Time audience will include 10 inmates and 10 prison staff as well as 100 members of the public. |