webofevil | (no subject)

This may not have been exactly what he intended to say. However, as secretary of state, it's up to him not to mis-speak quite so startlingly and appear to be touchingly concerned for the plight of convicted rapists. Also—not to bang this drum too much—this is a shining example of Hansard not smoothing over an embarrassing flub by the government front bench.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Kenneth Clarke): We shall also have to consider the arguments on the other side, where a woman can make an anonymous complaint, the man can eventually be convicted, after going through a long and probably rather destructive ordeal, and the woman retains her anonymity as she walks away, with her ex-boyfriend or ex-husband left to live with the consequences.

Hon. Members: What? [Hansard]