The house secretary's date rape joke was "misogynistic" and "very ill-judged", a senior Conservative MP has informed Sky News.

James Cleverly apologised after making an "ironic joke" about placing a date rape drug in his spouse's drink, hours after the Home Office announced plans to crack down on spiking.

He has confronted calls to resign, however Downing Street has stated Rishi Sunak "considers the matter closed" following his apology.

Asked in regards to the remark, Tory MP Dame Caroline Dinenage informed Sky News: "I think it was a very ill-judged comment. But I mean, I think James has owned that comment and apologised.

"I believe he understands and really anyone who follows James on social media will see how deeply in love together with his spouse he's and what a beautiful relationship they've.

"So you know, I think that he's apologised, let's move on."

'We all say issues we remorse'

When pressed on whether or not, given his position, he ought to be making such feedback, Dame Caroline stated it was an "off the cuff, silly remark" which she is bound he "completely regrets".

Dame Caroline, who's chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee and a member of the Women and Equalities Committee, added: "I imply, all of us say issues that we remorse.

"[It was] very ill-judged and you know, it was a misogynistic comment. But let's hope that he's learned that and that we can move on.

"It should not supersede all of the actually vital stuff that the Home Office must become familiar with."

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Mr Cleverly made the feedback throughout a non-public dialog at a Number 10 reception final week.

The house secretary informed feminine company "a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night" was "not really illegal if it's only a little bit", the Sunday Mirror reported.

Mr Cleverly additionally joked that the key to a protracted marriage was guaranteeing your partner was "someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there".

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Conversations at Downing Street receptions are normally understood to be off the file, so not for quoting and attributing the supply, however the Sunday Mirror determined to interrupt that conference due to Mr Cleverly's place and the subject material.

Allies of the minister stated his feedback had been made in a non-public setting however he recognises they had been inappropriate.

A spokesman for the house secretary stated: "In what was always understood as a private conversation, James, the home secretary tackling spiking, made what was clearly meant to be an ironic joke - for which he apologises."