Dr Rachel Turner was raped in Barbados in late 2010, only weeks after moving to the island to take up a research post at the University of the West Indies. Rachel's parents are my constituents and met with me to share their concerns that Rachel's rapist had not been caught.  Both they and Rachel believe the Police in Barbados have swept the issue under the carpet and are understandably angry. The Police did arrest a local man who spent 18 months in jail and was acquitted after Rachel and another British national both stated he was not their attacker. However, they had told the Police in Barbados this from the beginning but they did not listen and now refuse to reopen the case to find the real rapist.

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, said "I am very concerned the disgusting criminal that raped Rachel has not been caught and the Police in Barbados do not seem to be trying to find such a dangerous person. It is absolutely unbelievable that they convicted someone when Rachel clearly explained that it was not the person who raped her - surely that would give cause for reasonable doubt. The person convicted and set free due to Rachel's brave decision to come forward has had a miscarriage of justice, but Rachel has had no justice. I am disgusted by the refusal of the authorities in Barbados to reopen the case and find the rapist. The Foreign Office should update their travel advice and make it clear that Barbados is not a safe place to travel and warn British tourists to stay away. Maybe, then the authorities in Barbados will make the Police reopen the case and find this rapist."