HIGH-profile politicians have joined a Twitter backlash against a Scottish Conservative MSP after he claimed that the rape clause is an "invention”.
In an interview with Holyrood Magazine, Brian Whittle MSP was asked for his opinion on the controversial clause in the UK Government’s two-child cap on benefits which allows victims of rape to apply for an exemption when their third child is born as a result of non-consensual conception.
The South Scotland list MSP stated his preference for the name “exception clause”.
“Well, number one, again, this is where politics is appalling, there is no such thing as a rape clause,” he said. “That’s an invention. There’s an exemption clause.”
“Why don’t we call it a children in care clause? Because it’s part of the same thing.
"I’ll tell you what I think about that, there’s a legitimate debate to be had around the child cap that will never happen because, politically, you wouldn’t be allowed to say what you’ve got to say. The term ‘rape clause’ is an invention to beat the Tories with. It’s the invention of another political party.”
READ MORE: Scottish Tory claims there's no such thing as a rape clause
Among the policy’s chief critics is the SNP’s Alison Thewliss. She set up the campaign group Stop The Rape Clause and petitioned the Government to abandon its plans.
She led the outcry on social media.
I honestly don't know where to start on this... #RapeClause #2ChildLimit #ScrapTheFamilyCap https://t.co/mP25PJiIad
— Alison Thewliss (@alisonthewliss) 18 December 2018
Thewliss' outrage was shared by Scottish Labour's Monica Lennon.
Not only is @BrianWhittle an apologist for the Tory rape clause, he denies its very existence.
— Monica Lennon (@MonicaLennon7) 18 December 2018
Poverty is political and it’s sexist.
The Scottish Tories can pretend to be civil, different and up for ‘cross-party’ consensus but they are dangerous. https://t.co/UULfYInksp
Kezia Dugdale also took to Twitter to slam Whittle.
Dear @BrianWhittle , the rape clause is not an “invention of a political party” - it’s a form produced by your gov. Quite the achievement to belittle the experience of rape victims and the impact of austerity in one cheap comment. Watch this as a reward https://t.co/nqCtV1TUJC
— Kezia Dugdale MSP (@kezdugdale) December 18, 2018
I coined the rape clause apparently...
— Kezia Dugdale MSP (@kezdugdale) December 18, 2018
Who gave Brian a bigger shovel? https://t.co/dQcVLJnXAk
The fury was not exclusive to politicans, however. Here are a selection of Twitter users' best responses.
ummm, what's this then? #Liar pic.twitter.com/jHeXonVsVm
— DG English Scots For Yes (@DgScots) 18 December 2018
Why? To make this disgraceful law less embarrassing and uncomfortable for entities like him to justify. #Westminsterisarégime
— Lindsey Smith (@firstfinequine) 18 December 2018
Whittle is a huge disappointment, even to himself I suspect.
— Alistair McGregor 🐝 🏴 🇰🇪 (@gregalach) 18 December 2018
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