In a thinly-veiled attack on senior judges, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, Harriet Harman, Minister for women and equality said today that she would be masterminding major changes in the criminal law.

“The conviction rate for men accused of rape and sexual offences against women is disgracefully low and we must do something about it. Next month I will introduce a parliamentary bill that will end this situation once and for all”

, she said.

She went on to explain that the bill will contain three main provisions. One, that any woman found to have made false rape claims will be immune from prosecution and will continue to enjoy anonymity. Two, that bail will only be granted to men who make full and frank confessions of guilt immediately after arrest. Three, that the presumption of innocence, a tradition that goes back centuries, be suspended in rape and sexual assault cases.

In a short interview with our reporter she added:

“It’s about time someone stood up for women and I’m the person to do it. Men have been getting away with violence against women for too long and they need to be taught a lesson. I intend to make conviction rates rise to something like one hundred percent and for sentences to be far harsher. Juries will be told, as soon as they enter court and see the man in the dock that they must assume him to be guilty. Judges are to be told to make sure the prosecution gets their full support and the police will be instructed to prosecute every single complaint of rape that comes their way. It’s no good thinking that drunken irrational women would ever make a false complaint, indeed, I would urge them to routinely interview all women to find out it they can recall a man they can accuse of raping them in the past”.