Aitken resigns over rape comments
Minister resigns from justice committee after comments on prostitution in area where woman was allegedly raped
The Conservative MSP Bill Aitken has resigned as convener of the justice committee at Holyrood after controversial remarks made by him about rape appeared in a newspaper.
Calls had been growing for Aitken to stand down after the comments, which related to the alleged rape of a woman in Glasgow city centre on 11 February, appeared in the Sunday Herald last week. The paper quoted Aitken as saying that the area where the woman was attacked was known to be frequented by prostitutes.
The remarks were immediately condemned by women's organisations and politicians, and protests were launched on social media sites. The Green Party at Holyrood said the remarks were "unacceptable" and laid a motion calling for Aitken's resignation.
In a statement, Aitken said he had left himself open to misrepresentation during his conversation with a journalist from the paper. He said his decision to stand down as justice convener was made with "frustration".
"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," he said. "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."
Aitken, who had previously announced he was planning to retire at the next election, said he had spoken up for victims of crime throughout his career and had been clear in the past about his abhorrence of sexual violence against women.
"Rape, in every case and for every victim is an abhorrent, vile violation," ! he said. "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."
Police in Glasgow are continuing to investigate the alleged rape of a woman who was attacked by three men in Renfrew Lane in the city centre as she made her way home after a night out with friends. The 38-year-old was walking along Renfield Street when three men who were walking behind her dragged her into a nearby lane and attacked her.
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