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Why hasn't the Conservative MP accused of rape been named?

The Union Jack flying over Victoria Tower at the Houses of Parliament in London.
A Tory MP has been accused of rape but not been named. (PA Images)

The anonymity given to the unnamed Tory MP who has been accused of rape is “puzzling”, a lawyer has said.

The politician, who is said to be a senior Conservative and a former minister, was reportedly arrested after a woman accused him of rape, sexual assault and coercive control.

He has not been named by the Metropolitan Police and the media is yet to publish his identity.

Victims of sex crimes have lifelong anonymity and the press must not report details that could lead to their identity – but the accused do not routinely have the same protection.

So what’s going on?

What is the background?

Reports say the MP has been accused by a young woman who used to work in parliament. The story was first reported by The Sunday Times. He was arrested on Saturday morning and released on bail later that day.

A general view of New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police Britain's for-most and largest police serviceFriday, Feb., 3, 2012. Hackers have intercepted a conference call between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scotland Yard it has emerged . At the heart of the conference call between the FBI and Scotland Yard was a strategy aimed at bringing down the hacking collective known as Anonymous, which has launched a series of embarrassing attacks across the Internet.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Met said it does not routinely name people who are being investigated. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

A police statement said: “The Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.

“These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

“The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.

“A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday 1 August on suspicion of rape.”

The Tories have refused to suspend the whip from the MP, a move that Labour has described as “shocking”.

Chief whip Mark Spencer said the allegations are taken “very seriously” but that police must carry out their investigation before “we can assess where we’re at”.

Labour MP Jess Phillips told Times Radio it sent a “terrible message” that important figures can secure “protection” with their Westminster status.

Why did police not name him?

The Met told Yahoo News UK it would not name anyone at this stage of a case.

“The Met does not identify any person who may, or may not be, subject to an investigation,” a spokesman told Yahoo News UK.

Chief Whip Mark Spencer leaving Downing Street, London.
Tory chief whip Mark Spencer has come under pressure from Labour to suspend the unnamed MP. (PA Images)

James Saunders, partner at Saunders Law Solicitors, said that was “unsurprising”, though pointed out there is no law providing anonymity for someone who has been arrested but not charged.

So what about the press?

Saunders is, however, surprised that the press is yet to identify the man.

The media have reported on high-profile names accused of rape and other serious crimes in the past after they have been arrested.

“It’s really puzzling that the press has unified on the issue,” Saunders said.

He pointed to a rule brought in for parliament in 2016 which stopped the custom of the speaker of the House of Commons from identifying an MP as having been arrested but that does not stop the media revealing the accused’s name.

“The only possible angle is it would identify the alleged woman victim but it doesn’t look as though it would,” Saunders told Yahoo News UK.

“By identifying the MP I don’t think you logically identify the young lady.”

Victims of sex crimes have lifelong anonymity which is why press reports will say they cannot be identified for legal reasons.

This is automatic, and does not get given by members of the press being contacted and told not to report their name.

Saunders said if the MP is charged, their name will then have to come out, but expects the identity will emerge before a decision is made about whether further action will be taken.

He said: “I think the name will be published whenever it is and if the outcome is that he is not proceeded against.”