Cameron in U-turn on rape case anonymity which could now only apply until suspects are charged



Plans to give anonymity to men accused of rape have been dramatically scaled back.

Two weeks ago, the coalition pledged to give men the same protection as their accusers, whose identities are never revealed.

But yesterday David Cameron indicated the accused would be named if prosecutors brought charges.

His comments, at Prime Minister's Questions, suggested any suspects released by police without charge would have their names permanently shielded from the public.

Climbdown? David Cameron at his first Prime Minister's Questions today

Mr Cameron said that, when he was a member of the Home Affairs Committee, 'we came to the conclusion that there was a case for saying that between arrest and charge there was a case for anonymity'.

The original pledge was made two weeks ago in the coalition's first programme for government. But it provoked surprise as it appeared in neither party's manifesto.

It stated bluntly that the coalition would 'extend anonymity in rape cases to defendants', and was widely interpreted as suggesting accused parties would have their identities shielded in the same way as victims.

The pledge provoked anger from feminist pressure groups, who said it would tip justice and public opinion in favour of the defendants.

In charge: David Cameron at the despatch box today

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman rounded on Mr Cameron in the House of Commons, saying the plan would prevent other victims of serial rapists from coming forward.

Miss Harman said the move would 'turn the clock back' and send a 'devastating message' to rape victims that they should not be believed.

She said: 'We know that it is often only after many rapes that a defendant is finally brought to court and it is only at that point, often, when previous victims find the courage to come forward.

'By making rape defendants anonymous you are going to make it harder to bring rapists to justice.'

Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for sexual equality, welcomed the shift, but accused the Government of holding 'lingering sexist stereotypes' about women who report rape.

'Like many others, we were utterly confounded when we thought they actually meant giving full anonymity, including through the trial - which, among other things, would mean repeat rapists like the taxi driver John Worboys were less likely to be caught.

'So far their plans seem based on flimsy ideas, little evidence and perhaps not a small degree of lingering sexist stereotypes about women who report rape - not on a real commitment to equal justice for women.'