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Labour MP reveals she was raped at work event - and case took 1,088 days to reach court
Charlotte Nichols criticized government reforms during Commons debate, highlighting court delays and lack of promised specialist rape courts amid a 1,088-day wait for her case to reach trial.
- On Tuesday, Charlotte Nichols told MPs she had waited 1,088 days to go to court after revealing she was raped at an event she attended as a Member of Parliament and waived her anonymity.
- Amid Commons debate on the Courts and Tribunals Bill, MPs debated proposals to shift many cases from juries to judges; Nichols opposed plans to curb jury trials by allowing single crown court judges to hear cases with likely sentences of three years or less.
- Evidence shows her criminal acquittal was followed by a successful civil finding and compensation order, while Nichols cited Institute for Government research suggesting reforms may save only 2% of court time.
- The Commons vote was 304 to 203, majority 101, with Nichols abstaining while Sarah Sackman said the government was providing more than £500m for victims' services.
- Nichols warned the Government's framing was 'weaponising' survivors, and magistrates' courts would see sentencing powers increase from 12 to 18 months, risking extra caseloads.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
43% Left
L 43%
C 29%
R 28%
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