Do the right thing on hateful policy

ESTHER McVey’s first two days in the job have been marked by one overriding issue – the rape clause.

It’s the heartless side-effect of the two-child tax credit cap. And it remains a stain on the UK Government’s record.

On day one, the Work and Pensions Secretary faced demands from tenacious SNP MP Alison Thewliss to drop the clause.

And today, former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale piles the pressure on.

Dugdale hopes McVey’s previous warm words pledging to support and fight for women will push her in the right direction.

It’s an odd sort of “support” that forces rape victims to dredge up awful experiences with strangers, all for social security.

McVey made that pledge while projecting an image of Tory feminism.

Now it’s up to her to show she has the heart to right her party’s wrongs.

The pressure to end the callous clause is immense and cross-party.

The issue hung around Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson at the last election, making her uncomfortable whenever it was raised.

And so it should shame McVey now she’s in the top job at the DWP.

We hope she lives up to her words for once and does the right thing. But a note of caution: Don’t hold your breath.