The Law Needs To Change To Allow Anonymity For Sexual Offences Suspects

The UK's Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland MP, faced criticism earlier this month by suggesting that the anonymity of those suspected of serious crime should be respected until they are charged with any offence if they have a reputation to protect. Many agree that the time has come for change, with the early publication of a suspect's name in an investigation, particularly those involving sexual offences, having the potential for devastating consequences. While the protection of lifelong anonymity for complainants in sexual offences, regardless of the outcome of any police investigation, is enshrined in law, no equivalent protection exists for suspects.

The debate into the anonymity of individuals under investigation prior to any decision to charge was recently ignited after the trial and conviction of Carl Beech, who falsely accused senior political figures of sexual abuse and murder. This was against the backdrop of a string of recent high-profile investigations into sexual offences - and an announcement earlier this year that Sir Cliff Richard has publicly backed the Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform ('FAIR') organisation - highlighting the need for action.

Following a lengthy police investigation into the claims made by Beech, no criminal charges were...