I think it would be reasonable to give Ken the benefit of the doubt on this
The quote is spoken rather than pre-written for a start.

Also, I think he's making a fair point that date rapes can differ in how serious they are and how harshly they should be sentenced, and he explicitly states that at the extreme end of the spectrum, a "date rape can be as serious as the worst rape".

I don't think he is saying that date rape is worse than rape by a stranger. I don't even think that's what he means by "the worst rapes" - I think he's talking about about a premeditated, prolonged attack involving assault and battery, whether the victim knew the attacker or not.

Eugh. Christ, what a subject.
(leviticus no longer likes the cut of your gib on, Thu 19 May 2011, 18:20, 1 reply)

Oh dear
and then I saw this, and changed my mind again.

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/19/kenneth-clarke-rape-sentencing-law

This is quite a remarkable fuck up for a guy who has ostensibly spent a year looking into the intricacies of sentencing policy,
(leviticus no longer likes the cut of your gib on, Thu 19 May 2011, 21:04, closed)

If this chap has been advising the government on its strategy for 10 years
What was he doing in 2004 when they originally cut sentences by a third in the event of a guilty plea?
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Thu 19 May 2011, 22:01, closed)