Call for justice secretary to be sacked after rape comments

BRITISH Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke was forced to make a public declaration that he regards “all rape as a serious crime”, after he sparked a furore with comments suggesting he drew a distinction between “serious, proper rapes” and others.

Labour leader Ed Miliband demanded Mr Clarke’s sacking after a series of broadcast interviews in which the Justice Secretary defended controversial Government proposals to halve the sentences of some rapists if they made early guilty pleas.

Under pressure from 10 Downing Street, Mr Clarke was forced to return to TV studios to clarify his remarks.