MP Pritchard calls for review of anonymity for those accused of rape after case dropped

MP Mark Pritchard has urged for a review of the law on anonymity for those accused of rape after the police dropped the case against him.

The Tory MP said that the investigation into allegations of rape against him had been a “testing time”, but that he was “glad that it was over” after police said they had “insufficient evidence” to take further action.

The MP for the Wrekin urged “greater fairness” for those accused of rape under the law.

He continued:

“To be falsely accused of anything is an awful thing.

“Of course (my accuser) remains anonymous. The law on anonymity does need to be reviewed and fairness does need to play a far greater role in these cases.”

Currently, those who claim to be victims of rape are granted life-long anonymity under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, but those accused of the crime are not afforded any protections, despite the presumption of innocence under the law.