FIGURES showing just 1.9 per cent of rapes lead to a prosecution have been branded "appalling" by Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds.

The MP, who is also Labour's shadow solicitor general, was speaking in Parliament this week following the new Home Office figures.

Addressing his Conservative counterpart Robert Buckland, Mr Thomas-Symonds quoted victims' commissioner Baroness Newlove, saying: "I am often hearing from victims of sexual crime that their criminal justice journey is as harrowing as the crime itself. This is just not acceptable. I fear we are letting these victims down badly.”

He added: "She is right, isn’t she?"

Mr Buckland replied he had met Baroness Newlove last week to discuss the issue.

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"It is vitally important that colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and across government understand that the journey for victims in cases like this can be an extremely tough one," he said.

"That is well understood.

"That is why the agencies are now working together to ease that journey.

"I do not pretend that the task is easy or that the job is anywhere near finished, but the commitment is there, and we will continue to work to support victims of rape."

But Mr Thomas-Symonds, a former barrister, continued to press Mr Buckland, saying: "I do not dispute the solicitor general’s worthy intentions in this, but we have a situation where two in 100 reported rapes are reaching prosecution.

"It is a quite appalling statistic.

"First, he must acknowledge the impact that spending cuts have had on the ability to investigate these offences.

"Secondly, he should acknowledge that piecemeal change is no longer enough - the time has come for drastic action."

Replying, Mr Buckland said: "With respect to (Mr Thomas-Symonds), he must not forget that independent prosecutors have to apply evidential tests and it will not always be the case that complaints will merit a prosecution.

"I wholly reject his suggestion that expenditure cuts have resulted in a decrease in prosecutions. Expenditure is not an issue when it comes to the prosecution of offences, and never will be."

Support for victims of rape is available from charity Rape Crisis England and Wales. For more information email rcewinfo@rapecrisis.org.uk or visit rapecrisis.org.uk