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Sex offence suspects need more protection, says ex-Met boss Sex offence suspects need more protection, says ex-Met boss
(about 9 hours later)
A former Met Police chief has said more should be done to protect the reputation of sexual offence suspects who are investigated but never charged.A former Met Police chief has said more should be done to protect the reputation of sexual offence suspects who are investigated but never charged.
Ex-commissioner Lord Blair said lives were "ruined by unproven claims".Ex-commissioner Lord Blair said lives were "ruined by unproven claims".
The idea was backed by former Army boss Lord Bramall, who was investigated over allegations of a VIP paedophile ring before his case was dropped.The idea was backed by former Army boss Lord Bramall, who was investigated over allegations of a VIP paedophile ring before his case was dropped.
But, rape campaigners said the focus should be "helping survivors, rather than helping alleged perpetrators."But, rape campaigners said the focus should be "helping survivors, rather than helping alleged perpetrators."
'No smoke without fire''No smoke without fire'
Lord Blair - who ran the Met between 2005 and 2008 - argued changes to the prosecutors' code are needed to ensure suspects who are not charged are not "tarnished". Lord Blair - who ran the Met between 2005 and 2008 - said he thought blanket anonymity for suspects was not "entirely appropriate".
However, he argued changes to the prosecutors' code are needed to ensure suspects who are not charged are not "tarnished".
When investigators decide not to charge a suspect they should say there is "no corroborative evidence" rather than "insufficient evidence", he said.When investigators decide not to charge a suspect they should say there is "no corroborative evidence" rather than "insufficient evidence", he said.
"Whether you're a public or a private figure, to have all your friends and family know you've been accused of this crime - you've always got the 'no smoke without fire' argument."Whether you're a public or a private figure, to have all your friends and family know you've been accused of this crime - you've always got the 'no smoke without fire' argument.
"The phrase 'there is insufficient evidence' at the present time to have a safe prosecution leaves anybody listening to that with a view that 'well, if they get some more evidence they will charge him'.""The phrase 'there is insufficient evidence' at the present time to have a safe prosecution leaves anybody listening to that with a view that 'well, if they get some more evidence they will charge him'."
Lord Blair said the new approach could be extended to other cases, including where bankers were accused of fraud, where the nature of unsubstantiated complaints can leave someone's life "in ruins".
What happens when an investigation endsWhat happens when an investigation ends
Lord Bramall, 92, said he "entirely agreed" with Lord Blair, adding: "I think in my case everyone knows I have been cleared but a lot of people may feel to some extent it's still hanging over them."Lord Bramall, 92, said he "entirely agreed" with Lord Blair, adding: "I think in my case everyone knows I have been cleared but a lot of people may feel to some extent it's still hanging over them."
But Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of South London Rape Crisis, said: "Just because some well-known people who maybe have a bit of influence have been embarrassed, I don't think we should be changing the whole system which has until now been working.But Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of South London Rape Crisis, said: "Just because some well-known people who maybe have a bit of influence have been embarrassed, I don't think we should be changing the whole system which has until now been working.
"If anything we ought to be helping survivors, rather than helping alleged perpetrators.""If anything we ought to be helping survivors, rather than helping alleged perpetrators."
Lord Blair said the new approach could be extended to other cases, including where bankers were accused of fraud, where the nature of unsubstantiated complaints can leave someone's life "in ruins". On the issue of anonymity for suspects, Lord Blair said: "There's no requirement for police to name a suspect but there are times when it's impossible not to, as in the case of a celebrity."
Releasing names "can be important to get other victims to come forward, especially those of multiple attackers", he said.
He added, however, that there was room for guidance to be issued that suspects should not be named unless "deemed necessary or unavoidable".
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there were no plans to change its procedures.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there were no plans to change its procedures.
A spokeswoman said: "The CPS's function is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider."A spokeswoman said: "The CPS's function is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider."
The Met would not comment on Lord Blair's suggestion.The Met would not comment on Lord Blair's suggestion.
Last month the current commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, told MPs he did not think police should go further than saying there is "insufficient evidence".Last month the current commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, told MPs he did not think police should go further than saying there is "insufficient evidence".