The case for Ulrika
From Leanda de Lisle Sir: The Ulrika Jonsson rape story is indeed 'appalling', but not for the reasons Stephen Glover ascribes to it (Media studies, 26 October). The alleged rapist in the story was not named or described by Ms Jonsson. What is appalling is that his colleagues think him capable of raping a teenage girl so violently that she spends five days in hospital. People on television lose their jobs for being too old or too posh. If he loses his for having a reputation as a pig, it hardly seems outstandingly unfair. What is disturbing is the treatment being meted out to Ms Jonsson.
Contrary to what Stephen Glover believes, it is possible to be pretty and ambitious as well as naive and vulnerable. She was 19 years old and in a foreign country when she was date-raped and severely injured. She says she didn't go to the police because it would have been the rapist's word against hers. Why would she wish to go later when, as time passes, the likelihood of a conviction drops? She is now being 'torn limb from limb' by misogynists for telling the story in her autobiography, just as she expected would happen in court.
Leanda de Lisle
Osbaston, Warwickshire
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