Criminal Justice: No anonymity for rape case accused after policy dropped

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said there was not sufficient evidence to justify the move. The decision to scrap the proposal, which was included in the Government's coalition agreement in May, follows criticism from women's groups.

Mr Blunt said: "The coalition Government made it clear from the outset that it would proceed with defendant anonymity in rape cases only if the evidence justifying it was clear and sound, and, in the absence of any such finding it has reached the conclusion that the proposal does not stand on its merits.

"It will not, therefore, be proceeded with further."

He went on: "The assessment has found insufficient reliable empirical evidence on which to base an informed decision on the value of providing anonymity to rape defendants.

"Evidence is lacking in a number of key areas, in particular, whether the inability to publicise a person's identity will prevent further witnesses to a known offence from coming forward, or further unknown offences by the same person from coming to light."

Mr Blunt added: "The Government's commitment to give anonymity to teachers accused by pupils, and take other measures to protect against false accusations, is separate.

"We will announce the outcome of that work, which is being led by the Department for Education, in due course."

In May, campaigners lashed out at the Government after it made the pledge to ban the identification of men accused of rape.

The Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition said it wanted to extend anonymity in rape cases from victims to include defendants.