Criminal Justice: Confusion over rape changes
GOVERNMENT plans to give anonymity to defendants in rape cases are mired in confusion after Ministers left room for a climbdown – or to extend the privilege to people accused of other crimes.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the Government would not "press ahead" with the proposal without listening to the "full range of views" as Don Valley MP Caroline Flint led opposition to the proposals.
But Junior Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said a variety of options was being examined, including extending anonymity between arrest and charge, until the start of a trial or until a rapist had been convicted. He added: "There are reasons why it might be applied for other offences."
In a House of Commons debate Ms Flint said: "Offering attackers the blanket of anonymity will prevent victims from getting the justice they deserve and hinder the police from protecting the public."