Rape: Criminal Prosecutions

Lord Paddick Excerpts

Tuesday 28th June 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Paddick (LD)]

My Lords, it is vital that rape victims have confidence in the police. It is nine months since the conviction of a serving Metropolitan Police officer for rape and murder, four months since it was revealed that officers were joking about raping women in a work WhatsApp group and a few days since another lone female was murdered on the streets of London—and, today, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services placed the Metropolitan Police in special measures. Why has the Home Secretary not appointed a new commissioner to help to restore women’s trust and confidence in the police?

[Lord Bellamy (Con)]

I entirely understand the noble Lord’s point. This is a matter for the Home Secretary.