A Conservative MP caused outrage in Parliament for likening the report of small numbers of voter ID fraud to reports of rape.

MPs were discussing an urgent question on electoral fraud, with Labour MP Cat Smith asking what the Tories expect to achieve with their pilot scheme on voter fraud.

Cat argued that only eight out of 266 cases investigated involved impersonation at polling stations, while the scheme left millions of people without access to photo ID unable to vote.

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Chloe said: ‘She asks whether we should be focusing on some crime that has small numbers, well really, I ask her whether she would have said that decades ago about – for example – rape.’


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Her statement drew outrage from opposition benches and one was heard shouting; ‘that’s disgusting’.



Cat could be seen shaking her head and later described the comments as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘bizarre’.

In an attempt to save her argument, Chloe continued: ‘Would she have said that about a crime that was under-reported, would she have said that about some crime that has small numbers, simply for the sake of it having small numbers, of course she would not.

‘Nobody would do so, because, of course that would be disgraceful to make that argument.’

Chloe Smith sparked outrage in Parliament by comparing voter ID fraud to rape (Picture: BBC)

Cat released a comment after the debate and said: ‘The minister’s comments in the House were disgraceful and bizarre.

‘Rape is not a political football – and it is appallingly widespread, while under-reported.

‘By contrast, voter fraud in polling stations is thankfully incredibly rare.

‘It’s clear that Tories are clutching at straws in order to try to justify a voter ID scheme that will make it harder for low income and BAME voters to use their democratic rights.’

She concluded: ‘Chloe Smith must apologise for the reckless comments.’

Cat Smith has urged Chloe to apologise (Picture: BBC)

The people of Twitter were not impressed either, with one saying: ‘Chloe Smith likening electoral fraud to rape. Charming.’

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Sue Barnish wrote: ‘Chloe Smith, in typical patronising Tory fashion, likens the report of small numbers of voter ID fraud to reports of rape…

‘Tommy Sheppard SNP says surely the concern Government should address is the huge number of people who didn’t vote.

‘If ID is needed to be able to vote surely we all need to have supplied by the state an acceptable form of ID free of charge. Otherwise whole swathes of UK citizens will be disenfranchised.’

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