According to the British Sky News Channel 23**, British Home Secretary Cleverly was joked at a reception in Downing Street that he would drink in his wife's wine, causing controversy. Later, a spokesman for the Home Secretary said Cleverly had apologised for the incident.
According to the report, the British "Sunday Mirror" reported earlier that Cleverly said to the female guests present, "It is not illegal to put a little tranquilizer in her wine every night, if only a little." Cleverly also jokes that the secret to a long-lasting marriage is to make sure that the spouse "always stays in a state of being drugged so that she never realizes that there is a better man out there."
Cleverly and his wife, Susie, reportedly have two children. Conversations at Downing Street receptions are generally considered private, but because of Cleverly's position and the subject of his conversation, the Sunday Mirror decided to break with convention. Cleverly has previously described addressing violence against women and children as his "personal priority" and called it a "twisted" offense for someone to put drugs into another person's drink or directly into their body without their knowledge or consent. Just earlier, the British Home Office just announced a plan to combat "drugging" practices.
According to Sky News, in response to the remarks, a spokesman for Cleverly said: "In what has been seen as a private conversation, the Home Secretary has made a distinctly ironic joke when dealing with the 'drugging' issue, for which he apologises." ”
On the other hand, it was reported that the British opposition Labour Party criticized Cleverly's remarks as "shocking". Alex Jones, shadow secretary for domestic violence and safeguards, said: "'It's just a joke' is not right. 'It's just a joke' is the most corny excuse in a book, and no one will buy it. Jones added, "If the Home Secretary is serious about tackling drugging and violence against women, there needs to be a complete cultural change." The so-called 'ridicule' must stop, and it must start at the top. ”
According to a report by the UK Home Office, an average of 561 reports of "drugged" behaviour are received each month, most of which are reported by women, who usually encounter them in a pub or inside.