Labour MP Charlotte Nichols has revealed she waited 1,088 days for her rape case to reach court, speaking out against government plans to limit jury trials. In a House of Commons debate on Tuesday, Nichols said she was raped after an event she attended as an MP, waiving her anonymity to share her experience and oppose the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
Nichols described the nearly three-year wait for trial as 'agony', worsened by abuse on social media and the public nature of her role. She said the man she accused was acquitted in criminal court, but a civil process recognised her as a 'blameless victim of a violent crime'. She also revealed she suffers from PTSD as a result of the ordeal.
Accusing Justice Secretary David Lammy of using rape victims as a 'cudgel' to push through reforms, Nichols argued the government should focus on introducing specialist rape courts instead. She warned that moving away from jury trials could strain an already overstretched system.
The Courts and Tribunals Bill, debated on Tuesday, would create judge-only trials for complex fraud cases and magistrates-only hearings for offences carrying up to two years' imprisonment. Nichols stressed the need for greater safeguards for victims giving evidence, stating, 'Legally, you are a witness in your own trial.'
Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, praised Nichols's 'strength' in making the speech, saying the chamber stood with her.
