In their February 2022 report on the post-charge handling of rape cases, the Joint Inspectorate recommended, that the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPA) should “immediately work to ensure that bad character is considered in all rape cases, and progressed wherever it is applicable.”

That means applying to enter into evidence relevant elements of a suspect’s history, including past convictions and a record of violence.

But when I recently asked the Ministry of Justice about this issue, they couldn’t even tell me how many bad character applications had been made or allowed in the last year, let alone what progress had been made in meeting the immediate recommendation from last year’s report.

That’s why I have now challenged the Attorney General in Parliament if she knows what progress has been made, and she has agreed to make enquiries. You can watch my question at July Attorney General Orals below.

In the House earlier, I asked the Attorney General what progress had been made since February 2022 on the Joint Inspectorate’s recommendation of ‘immediate’ action regarding the use of 'bad character' evidence when prosecuting rape suspects.

She said she’d look into it… pic.twitter.com/NSQiQjNIBU

— Emily Thornberry (@EmilyThornberry) July 6, 2023