Home Secretary James Cleverly has sparked backlash after making insensitive remarks about spiking his wife’s drink at a Downing Street reception. Reports suggest that Mr Cleverly mentioned Rohypnol, a drug that is often referred to as a “date rape” drug. He reportedly commented that “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not really illegal if it’s only a little bit”. Additionally, he reportedly said that the ideal spouse was “someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there”.
The remarks were made at a drinks reception for political journalists in 10 Downing Street on the 18th of December, the same day that Mr Cleverly had promoted a series of measures to combat spiking, which is when a person’s drink or body is spiked with alcohol or drugs without their consent. The comments were described by senior figures in the Labour party as “appalling”. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said that it was “truly unbelievable” that Mr Cleverly had made the comments on the same day that the government had announced new policy on spiking.
A source told the BBC that the remark had been made in a private, off the record conversation and that Mr Cleverly did not remember the exact wording he had used but recognised that the joke was inappropriate, which is why he has apologised. A spokesperson for the home secretary said that he had made an “ironic joke” which he apologises for. It is customary for conversations at Downing Street receptions to be off the record and not reported. However, the Sunday Mirror chose to break this convention in light of Mr Cleverly’s position and the content of his remarks.
Labour’s shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, Alex Davies-Jones, said that if the home secretary is serious about tackling spiking and violence against women and girls, then that requires a full cultural change. She said that “the ‘banter’ needs to stop and it has to start at the top”. Spiking is a serious crime that has a devastating impact on young women’s lives and requires the government’s full attention.
Mr Cleverly has been criticised for the insensitive remarks and for laughing off the concerns about spiking, which is a serious crime that disproportionately affects women. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the controversy, but it is clear that many are calling for more action to be taken to combat spiking and related crimes
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