Theresa May backs Esther McVey's claim that 'rape clause' is 'opportunity to talk'

Comment branded ‘a disgrace’ in the Commons – but prime minister insists tax credit claims are handled in ‘as sensitive a manner as possible’

Theresa May has backed a cabinet minister who sparked outrage when she insisted the so-called “rape clause” in tax credit claims gives victims “an opportunity to talk”.

Esther McVey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, came under fire after defending the two-child cap on receiving the benefits – unless a woman can prove the third child is the result of an assault.

Claiming the policy offered “double support”, Ms McVey told members of the Holyrood parliament: “This could give them an opportunity to talk about maybe something that's happened that they never had before.”

The comments were branded “a disgrace” in the Commons – but the prime minister defended Ms McVey, insisting the questioning was carried out in “as sensitive a manner as possible”.

“The point my right honourable friend was making was that a mother would be granted the exemption through engaging with specialist professionals, like health and social workers, who may be able to provide them with support in those circumstances over and beyond the issue of their entitlement,” she said.

Ms May told MPs that the government had taken “considerable time and care to set up procedures following extensive consultations”.

“No government staff will question these mothers about what they’ve experienced,” she insisted.

But Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster issue – who raised the controversy – told her that women should not have to “prove trauma” in order to claim child benefits.

“It is a disgrace which may well retraumatise the women involved,” Mr Blackford said.

Brandishing the “rape clause” form, he added: “This is the form, with a box for the child’s name – what kind of society do we live in?”