Is this guy the British Todd Akin?

[alp227]

"If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." --Soon-to-be-former Rep. Todd Akin in Aug. 2012 in a jump-the-shark statement

And now, British paper The Guardian reports on comments by magician Paul Daniels questioning women who accused legendary TV presenter Jimmy Savile (who hosted the programs Jim'll Fix It and Top of the Pops) of abuse. Savile died in Dec. 2011, and ten months later, a TV newsmagazine revealed that Savile had hundreds of women accusing him of molesting them as teenagers. While the UK public has been rightfully outraged at Savile and trust the BBC less over accusations the BBC covered up for Savile when he was alive, unfortunately SOMEBODY had to play the "false accusations" card:

"It was 35 – 40 years ago. How the hell can you say you did or you didn't? Anyone can come along and claim to have been 'abused' by anyone they care to name."

Savile was undoubtedly "a bad guy", said Daniels, before adding: "But I have been wondering if all of the accusers are for real. I can fully understand some women not wanting to talk about what happened to them, but for over 400 of them to keep quiet for 40 years seems strange. If they have truly suffered in silence for all that time then I am truly sorry if they read this and it upsets them."

The guardian also reports the comments "were reprinted in the Sun and Daily Mail but now appear to have been removed from his website." Typical non-apology CYA.

And a voice of reason:

The NSPCC, the charity which aims to protect children from abuse, challenged Daniels' suggestion it was "strange" for people to wait so long before coming forward.

"Accusations of sexual offences must always be taken seriously and fully investigated no matter how long ago they were. Victims often find it very difficult to speak out and may therefore not report offences for years or even decades," said its spokesperson.

"But there was never a time when abuse such as that suffered by Savile's victims was considered acceptable. We must all be supportive of those who have now taken the difficult step of speaking out and their accusations must be fully investigated."

[intaglio]

1. Paul Daniels

Irrelevant former illusionist and entertainer who completed the trope of abandoning his wife to marry his much younger assistant.