MAY DEFENDS INDEFENSIBLE
PM speaks up for McVey over rape clause outrage
THERESA May yesterday defended Esther McVey’s astonishing comments about the child tax credit rape clause.
The Work and Pensions Secretary sparked outrage when she claimed the clause could give victims “double support” as it is an “opportunity to talk”.
The comments were branded “a disgrace” in the Commons.
But the Prime Minister defended McVey and insisted the issue was dealt with in “as sensitive a manner as possible”.
Under the clause, women who conceive a child through rape have to provide evidence of the attack to avoid the Tories’ two-child cap on tax credits.
Yesterday, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford put May on the spot over McVey’s comments.
He asked: “Does the Prime Minister agree with her Secretary of State that the rape clause provides victims with double support?”
May said McVey was making the point that specialist professionals “may be able to provide individuals with support in those circumstances over and beyond the issue of their entitlement”.
Blackford branded May’s response as shameful and asked: “What kind of society do we live in?”
Under the clause, women have to speak to a third-party assessor to access financial support.
Support groups including Rape Crisis Scotland have vowed to boycott the process.
May stressed that victims claiming tax credits wouldn’t have to talk about their ordeal to work and pensions staff.
The PM added: “I fully recognise the sensitivities that are involved.
“We have taken great care, considerable time and care to set up procedures, following extensive consultations, that mean that no Government staff will question these mothers about what they experienced.
“The point (McVey) was making was that a mother will be granted the exemption through engaging with specialist professionals like health and social workers, who may be able to provide them with support over and beyond the issue of their entitlement.”
McVey made the comments at a Holyrood committee meeting on Monday.