Rape Crisis England and Wales has slammed Labour MP Austin Mitchell for his comments comparing Pfizer to “rapists”, saying that they show he “cares little” for rape victims and condemning him for his failure to apologise:

“It is deeply disappointing that, in 2014, public figures and elected representatives still think it’s appropriate to trivialise rape with careless language and casual metaphor.

This episode suggests Austin Mitchell is not aware of how very many survivors of sexual violence are among his electorate, or the audience to any speech he gives, and that he knows or cares little about what it’s like to live with the aftermath of such terrifying crimes.

It is particularly disrespectful to survivors that he hasn’t had the good grace to apologise properly for his
comments.”

Mitchell is still refusing to apologise for the comment, in direct defiance of party command. A strong leader would have hamstrung Mitchell midway through his extensive broadcast round last night, but instead Ed just looked on. Given Miliband has been so willing to use Rape Crisis in the past to tee up questions at PMQs attacking the government, perhaps he willing to listen to them again this time.