Bill Aitken quits Holyrood Justice Committee over rape comments

Published on Monday 21 February 2011 17:29

CONSERVATIVE MSP Bill Aitken has quit his role as convener of Holyrood's Justice Committee after comments he made about an alleged rape drew widespread criticism.

Mr Aitken said the decision was made with "frustration" after calls for him to resign over the comments about an alleged city centre rape.

The Glasgow MSP said: "In politics, you have to have a thick skin. But this issue is no longer about me. For far too many people, perception is reality.

"Today, I am standing down as convener of the Justice Committee.

"I do so with a mixture of emotions. Frustration at allowing myself to be misrepresented. Anger at being misrepresented. And remorse to rape victims and their loved ones for any hurt they feel. But also in the hope that my true views can now be heard.

"In all my years as a city councillor, a JP and an MSP I have spoken out against criminals and spoken up for victims of crime. That will not change in retirement. I will continue to battle for justice for all."

In an interview with the Sunday Herald last week, Mr Aitken suggested the latest victim of a series of "lane rapes" in Glasgow city centre may have been a prostitute.

He said: "If this woman was dragged halfway through the town then it just couldn't possibly happen. So has nobody asked her what she was doing in Renfrew Lane?

"Somebody should be asking her what she was doing in Renfrew Lane. Did she go there with somebody? ... Now, Renfrew Lane is known as a place where things happen, put it that way.

"It's an area where a lot of the hookers take their clients. Now that may not have happened in this case. But you know ... what was happening? There's always a lot more to these city-centre rapes than meets the eye."

His comments provoked condemnation from women's groups and a call from the Green Party in a parliamentary motion that he should stand down from the justice committee.

Last year Mr Aitken announced his plans to step down at the Holyrood election in May.

Mr Aitken said he was left open to misrepresentation during the conversation that led to the newspaper report.

He added that a full statement was not printed and an unfair impression had been given.

Mr Aitken said: "So, for the record, let me repeat again: rape, in every case and for every victim is an abhorrent, vile violation.

"Every case and every victim must be treated equally. The circumstances of any case are only pertinent to the lines of inquiry which the police would follow.

"Whilst even the First Minister went on the record to say that he did not believe I held the views attributed to me, another Glasgow MSP has now tabled a motion calling for me to resign as convener of the Justice Committee.

"That committee does and will continue to do important work even as we approach dissolution for May's elections. I have been proud to lead it, and I am proud of its achievements."