Home Secretary James Cleverly issued an apology for an ill-judged "ironic joke" made about spiking his wife's drink during a Downing Street gathering.
Reportedly, he quipped that the perfect partner would be "someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realize there are better men out there." Additionally, the comments allegedly included a reference to Rohypnol, a drug associated with date rape.
The remarks drew severe criticism from senior figures in the Labour Party. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the jest, highlighting the gravity of spiking as a crime affecting young women. She expressed disbelief that such comments were made on the same day the government announced policies addressing spiking.
Women's Aid emphasized the responsibility of political leaders in addressing violence against women and urged serious consideration of the issue. The Fawcett Society went a step further, calling for Cleverly's resignation, questioning his capability to address violence against women considering his seemingly trivial view on drugging women.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for Cleverly clarified that his statement, intended as ironic humor during a private conversation, warranted an apology. While he couldn't recall the exact phrasing due to the off-the-record nature of the conversation, he acknowledged the inappropriateness of any such remark.
The incident occurred during a Downing Street reception attended by journalists, aides, ministers, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ironically, on the same day, Cleverly had introduced government measures to combat spiking, labeling it a "perverse crime."
Typically, discussions at such receptions are considered off the record, but the Sunday Mirror chose to publish Cleverly's comments given his position and the nature of his remarks.
The episode has sparked debates about the culture surrounding such remarks and the need for a shift, especially from leaders, to address issues like violence against women and spiking seriously. Photo by Richard Townshend, Wikimedia commons.