Respect by-election candidate stands down over Galloway rape comments

Full statement from Kate Hudson is here, but the key section is this:

“I cannot in all conscience, stand as candidate for a party whose only MP has made unacceptable and un-retracted statements about the nature of rape. To continue as Respect Party candidate in this situation, no matter how much I object to and oppose his statements personally, would be in effect to condone what he has said. That is something I am not prepared to do.”

That follows Respect Party leader Salma Yaqoob’s statement that

“George Galloway’s comments on what constitutes rape are deeply disappointing and wrong.”