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    No rift with Harman, says minister

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    6th August 2009

    Claims of a rift between Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and other ministers have been denied by solicitor general Vera Baird.

    Rumours of a row were caused by a hold-up in a government inquiry into the handling of rape cases.

    But Baird insisted that the delay was caused by discussions over terms of reference.

    She told BBC Radio 4's World at One on Wednesday: "Harriet and I and Alan Campbell and Alan Johnson have been talking about how to get the terms of reference right for this review for quite a few weeks.

    "We did think we would have got them right by now. But there's still work to do.

    "I really have been aware of no friction. It's simply about getting the right terms of reference together... that task will be accomplished very soon."

    A review of rape cases was due to be announced in Manchester on Wednesday by Harman.

    But she abandoned the trip, with reports suggesting the move came after home secretary Alan Johnson and justice secretary Jack Straw said the basic work on the review was not ready.

    A government spokesman said: "There will be a review later this year looking at the treatment of rape victims in the criminal justice system. The exact scope of the study is being finalised and details will be set out in the autumn."

    Speaking from Manchester at the launch of violent offender orders, policing minister David Hanson denied that there was a problem with the review.

    Asked why Harman had cancelled, he said: "She is acting as prime minister and she has other business in government today.

    "She fully supports the announcement we have made. We have not finalised some of the policy objectives but don't let that confuse people that we are not committed to tackling rape and helping support victims.

    "There is no rift and we are at one on wanting to improve the level of rape convictions.

    "We will make further announcements in the autumn and today we should be celebrating the funding that has been given."

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