Nigel Evans MP

[FairwayDodger]

You would probably have a different opinion if the police smashed your door down at 5 o'clock in the morning, dragged you off to the nick while the forensics dressed in white paper boiler suits carried out bags full of your clothes and possessions, the whole thing shown on national television and newspapers because someone with a grudge accused you falsely of sexual assault.

Your point about Stuart Hall is valid but does not over ride a persons rights to a fair defence.

In all honesty I think that this situation is not black and white. IMO a blanket rule of anonymity until convicted would just be yet another barrier to improving the appalling conviction rate for rape. However, clearly, the situation Imurg described where the police have no real idea of a suspect and are only carrying out initial questioning would not warrant publicising names.

I'd hope if they were sure enough to raid someone's home in the early hours of the morning then an arrest would be forthcoming in which case I think it perfectly legitimate to publish the suspect's name. I'd hope that if the suspect was subsequently cleared that a similar level of publicity would follow.

 

[fundy]

In all honesty I think that this situation is not black and white. IMO a blanket rule of anonymity until convicted would just be yet another barrier to improving the appalling conviction rate for rape. However, clearly, the situation Imurg described where the police have no real idea of a suspect and are only carrying out initial questioning would not warrant publicising names.

I'd hope if they were sure enough to raid someone's home in the early hours of the morning then an arrest would be forthcoming in which case I think it perfectly legitimate to publish the suspect's name. I'd hope that if the suspect was subsequently cleared that a similar level of publicity would follow.

Very little chance of that, sadly in today's society, someone being cleared is barely news and doesnt sell papers like the original story does

 

[FairwayDodger]

Very little chance of that, sadly in today's society, someone being cleared is barely news and doesnt sell papers like the original story does

If you we're going to do something about this issue that, I think, is where you should concentrate; not something that makes it easier for the guilty to evade justice.

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

The problem with lurid details being splashed across the front pages is that you run the risk of bringing our judicial system into disrepute. You are innocent until found guilty by a jury of your peers. We all read newspapers so are we not risking tainting the views of jurers before they have heard any evidence?
I know this is an emotive subject and i'am trying to walk on eggshells here, but reguarding rape cases i would of thought a guarantee of anonymity would of helped victims to report this terrible crime.