James Cleverly has had to apologise after making a joke about spiking his wife’s drink, just hours after the Home Office announced a crackdown on date-rape drugs.
The home secretary told female guests at a Downing Street reception that “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not really illegal if it's only a little bit”, as reported by the Sunday Mirror.
He also joked that the secret to a healthy marriage was ensuring your partner was “someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there”.
Cleverly and his wife Susie, who met at the University of West London, have two children together.
The home secretary told female guests at a Downing Street reception that 'a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night' was 'not really illegal if it's only a little bit'
PAConversations that take place at Downing Street receptions are typically “off the record” however the Sunday Mirror decided to share the comments because of Cleverly’s prominent role in Government and the subject matter.
The Home Secretary has since apologised for his words, which a spokesperson said were “clearly meant to be an ironic joke”.
Cleverly’s allies have said that whilst the comments were made in a private setting, the minister recognises that they were inappropriate.
Labour MPs have slammed Cleverly for his “appalling” remarks regarding his wife Susie.
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Alex Davies-Jones, shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, said: “'It was a joke' is the most tired excuse in the book and no one is buying it.
“If the Home Secretary is serious about tackling spiking, and violence against women and girls, then that requires a full cultural change. The 'banter' needs to stop and it has to start at the top.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which is having a devastating impact on young women's lives.
“It is truly unbelievable that the Home Secretary made such appalling jokes on the very same day the Government announced new policy on spiking.
Cleverly with his wife Susie
PA
“It suggests that despite being the cabinet minister ultimately responsible for tackling violence against women and girls he doesn't get how serious this is. Victims will understandably be questioning if they can trust him to take this vile crime seriously.”
Charity Women’s Aid said that political leaders were relied upon to “take action to end violence against women and girls, and the misogyny that underpins it”.
“It is vital that spiking survivors see ministers treating the subject seriously and not downplaying the reality so many women face,” it said on social media.
The Home Secretary has previously said that clamping down on violence against women and girls is a “personal priority”.
He also described the act of spiking as a “perverse” crime.
The incident took place on December 18, when political journalists, aides and ministers attended a drinks reception with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street.