A Conservative candidate has stepped down after Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised his 2014 remarks suggesting women should keep their 'knickers on' to avoid rape. Nick Conrad, 34, a former radio presenter, was selected on Wednesday to stand in the Broadland constituency but withdrew on Thursday, citing media distraction.
In a 2014 radio exchange on BBC Radio Norfolk, Conrad said women were 'partially responsible' for sexual assault. He stated: 'I think women need to be more aware of a man's sexual desire... It's the old adage about if you yank a dog's tail then don't be surprised when it bites you.' He later apologised, calling his remarks ill-judged.
When asked about Conrad's selection, Johnson said: 'Those comments are completely unacceptable, he has apologised long ago but I can't stress [enough] that those comments are completely unacceptable.' Labour's Jess Phillips and Angela Rayner also condemned the remarks, with Rayner calling them 'despicable'.
