MSP apologises over controversial rape 'demonisation' comments

- Published A newly-elected MSP has apologised for the hurt caused by comments in which they talked of the "demonisation" of rape. Scottish Green Party politician Q Manivannan has also faced criticism for suggesting rape is a "spectrum of things" during a podcast recorded before they were elected to the Scottish Parliament. Earlier, the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance (SRCA) - which represents four rape crisis centres - said there is "no hierarchy of rape" and warned the MSP not to minimise sexual violence.

In a statement, Manivannan said clips from the podcast had been "selectively edited" but said they were "sorry" for the upset, and insisted they would never seek to diminish a rape survivor's experience. The comments, which were made during The Subjective Space podcast, externalrecorded last year, sparked fury after they re-emerged online at the weekend.