The judge called Vicky Pryce a “controlling, manipulative and devious” woman as he delivered his verdict on Monday, which sparked outrage from feminists.
Islington resident, bestselling author and prominent feminist Sarah Dunant speaks exclusively to Islington Now’s Alex Wynick about her thoughts on Vicky Pryce’s sentence.
“I was certainly aware and quite disturbed by the judge’s language in the description of her. But unfortunately I think she had allowed herself to be open to such an analysis by the judicial decision she made by claiming marital coercion.
“It’s quite an antiquated defence to hide behind and I would say that it’s not a feminist defence any more.
“To call her manipulative comes from a view of women that says ‘If women have no power that’s what they resort to; they become manipulative.’
“She left herself with having to square the circle of being seen as a strong woman and a weak one at the same time.
“We know at one level Vicky Pryce is a powerful, confident, remarkable woman in her career and life. The fact that she asked for marital coercion as a defence says that on the level she hadn’t any power left to her.
“That confusion opened the door for the judge being able to see her as manipulative.
“I’m not agreeing with the judge but if you take that line of defence about herself you open yourself up to accusations that assess you.
“The two of them brought upon themselves the most appalling public humiliation – their flaws brought this on.”
