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UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has found himself at the centre of controversy after making an insensitive joke about drugging his wife during a Downing Street reception. The ill-conceived comment, in which he suggested that slipping “a little bit of Rohypnol” into his wife’s drink every night wasn’t “really illegal,” was quickly reported by news outlets. This incident has drawn widespread criticism, particularly because it occurred shortly after the Home Office announced plans to combat drink spiking, a common form of violence against women and girls.
Cleverly’s Apology Amidst Backlash
While there is a general understanding that conversations at Downing Street receptions are considered off-the-record, a news outlet decided to publish Cleverly’s remarks due to the seriousness of the issue and his public role. In response to the ensuing backlash, Cleverly issued an apology, asserting that his comment was meant as ironic humour. However, this explanation did little to quell the uproar.
Labour’s shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, Alex Davies-Jones, and shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, were quick to condemn Cleverly’s comments. They emphasized the inappropriateness of such ‘banter’ and underscored the urgent need for cultural change at the highest levels of government. This incident has raised broader questions about the government’s commitment to combat violence against women and girls.
The Home Office’s Approach to Drink Spiking
The Home Office had recently pledged to modernize the language in legislation to clarify that drink spiking is indeed a crime. However, they stopped short of making it a specific offence. Between May 2022 and April 2023, there were a staggering 6,732 reports of drink-spiking incidents in England and Wales, averaging 561 reports per month. The majority of these cases were reported by women. This alarming statistic highlights the pressing need for the government’s commitment to address this issue seriously.
While Cleverly’s inappropriate comment has sparked controversy and drawn attention away from the government’s efforts to combat drink spiking, it has also ignited a national conversation about the broader issues of misogyny and insensitivity. As public figures are held to higher standards, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respectful and responsible discourse, especially when discussing matters as serious as violence against women and girls. The Home Office must now navigate the delicate balance between addressing this critical issue and managing the fallout from one of its own senior members’ ill-judged remarks.
