General election: Tories told to drop Nick Conrad as candidate over rape comments
The ex-BBC radio host is under fire over his "despicable" remarks about footballer Ched Evans' trial after running to be an MP.
Thursday 7 November 2019 22:00, UK
The Conservatives are facing calls to drop one of their general election candidates after he previously claimed women should "keep their knickers on" during a debate about a high-profile rape trial.
Former radio host Nick Conrad, who has been selected to stand for the Tories in the safe seat of Broadland, Norfolk, made the comments during a phone-in debate about footballer Ched Evans.
It followed the ex-Sheffield United striker's release from prison after his rape conviction, which was subsequently overturned on appeal.
In on-air comments that were condemned by campaigners, Mr Conrad said on BBC Radio Norfolk in 2014: "I think women need to be more aware of a man's sexual desire… and it's very difficult for many men to say no when they are whipped up into a bit of a storm."
He added: "If you jump into bed naked with a man, if you give him all the signals and then he acts upon them, then you are partially responsible.
"If you don't wish to give out the wrong signals it's best probably to keep your knickers on and not get into bed with him."
Mr Conrad later made an on-air apology for his "ill-judged" remarks, which attracted complaints to watchdog Ofcom.
He added: "I made it clear on several occasions that rape is an abhorrent and inexcusable crime and that women and victims were in no way to blame."
Ofcom said his comments "were offensive" and "not justified by the context of the show", but the BBC had taken steps to limit the offence.
The 34-year-old was last night selected as the Tory candidate for Broadland, with Home Office minister Brandon Lewis - the former Conservative Party chairman - offering his congratulations to "superb" Mr Conrad.
However, his selection prompted immediate calls for the decision to be reversed.
Labour's shadow education secretary Angela Rayner claimed Mr Conrad's "despicable comments" made him "not fit to be an MP".
"The Conservatives must drop him as a candidate immediately but I have no faith that they will," she added.
Labour's candidate in Broadland, local councillor Jessica Barnard, told Sky News: "I find it deeply troubling that the Norfolk Conservatives have, in full knowledge, selected a candidate with such damaging and dangerous views on rape and sexual assault against women.
"Women and victims of rape and sexual assault in Broadland may very well find themselves in the position where the person who's duty it should be to stand up for them and champion their rights in parliament, is a person who used his platform to thousands, on live radi,o to promote toxic rape apologism, followed by threatening those who called for him to stand down.
"I am committed to believing and supporting victims of sexual abuse, and ensuring that they have access to support and justice.
"I am incredibly disappointed that Broadland Conservatives have seen fit to appoint a candidate who, not only is not committed to the same, but actively and publicly shames victims."
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Ben Goodwin, the Liberal Democrat candidate in Broadland, said Mr Conrad's past comments were "indefensible".
"Experience, integrity and honesty are essential in public office and the people of Broadland are perfectly capable of deciding who they wish to represent them," he told Sky News.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the comments as "completely unacceptable" when asked about the selection of Mr Conrad during a campaign visit to Scotland on Thursday.
He said: "Those comments are completely unacceptable, he has apologised long ago but I can't stress that those comments are completely unacceptable."
Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press about his past comments following his selection last night, Mr Conrad said: "I completely messed up. I didn't demonstrate the fact that I know it's the most abhorrent crime."
He added: "I apologised at the time and I completely stand by that apology."
The Broadland seat was won by Conservative candidate Keith Simpson at the 2017 general election with a majority of more than 15,000 votes.
Mr Simpson, who had been an MP since 1997, announced in September that he would not seek re-election.
Sky News has contacted Mr Conrad for comment.
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