27th May 2010

Shadow Minister for Women, Yvette Cooper has urged the government to drop its plan to change the law in rape cases, as 47 Labour MPs sign EDM 105 opposing the plans. Yvette Cooper said;

"This sends a message to juries and to victims that uniquely in rape cases the victim should not be believed.

“Given that the rape conviction rate is still too low, it is shocking the government should announce this as their top priority, without any consultation or evidence.

“This wasn't in the Conservative or the Liberal Democrat manifestos. No one voted for this. They don't seem to get it when it comes to issues affecting women."

Already there are signs that some in the Cabinet are very uneasy about the plans with Sir George Young attempting to row back from the original plans and promising more analysis before proposals were put before parliament.