Ken Clarke.....

[ixion]

I actually feel a bit sorry for the old duffer.....surely some rapes ARE worse than others?

[Sir Alec]

Not to the victim.

[ixion]

I don't think KC belittled any victims...he is genuinely trying to increase the conviction rate.

[carolegif]

I think he was making the distinction between say someone being attacked and raped and a young couple where one was over 16 and the partner under 16 having consensual sex. If a boy of 17 or 18 is going out with a girl of 14 or 15 and they have sex in which both are agreed, the boy can still be charged with rape. I think that there should be a distinction in that case and that is what Ken Clarke is saying, although he didn't put it very well.

[Sqad]

ixion...see JJ's thread on "News" section.............to save duplication.

[lidlicker]

I agree that Ken Clarke couldn't get across what he meant. I agree with "joggerjayne" in NEWS section. There IS a difference !!