UK: MP's fears over new guidelines on rape: How do you prove consent was given, he asks

Article here. Excerpt:

"A row broke out last night over guidelines which would see men accused of date rape being asked to prove that a woman wanted to have sex.

As part of a major shake-up of investigations into sex offences, the Director of Public Prosecutions said it was vital to remove ‘any grey area’ to recognise situations where a woman may have been unable to give consent.

Campaigners described the move as a ‘huge step forward’ in ensuring fewer rapists escaped justice.

But critics said the guidelines threatened to undermine Britain’s long-standing principle that people were innocent until proven guilty.

Tory MP Philip Davies said: ‘It is not clear how anyone is supposed to prove that consent was given. Is the CPS really suggesting that you have to get a signed statement off someone before they have sex?

‘Nobody wants to see rapists walk free. I’m as hardline as they come on crime, but this is ridiculous. Our legal system is based on people being innocent until proven guilty and the CPS are trying to turn that on its head.’"