The Tory Justice Secretary has prompted anger after suggesting “reputable” businessmen could be kept anonymous if they’re accused of a crime.
Robert Buckland was accused of letting the “powerful hide behind money and status” after raising the idea that people with ‘good character’ could be nameless until charged – while those with dodgy records are named.
Today Mr Buckland was slapped down bluntly by Boris Johnson just days after being handed his Cabinet job.
A 10 Downing Street spokesman said: “This is not government policy.”
Mr Buckland made his comments in an interview with The Times newspaper. He said: “Let’s say you are a reputable local business person who is accused of fraud.
(Image: Jeff J Mitchell)
“Your good name is going to be really undermined by this mere accusation.
“That might be a meritorious case for anonymity.”
He then added: “Let’s say you are a person with a list of previous convictions.
“You’ve committed offences.
“There is intelligence out there that suggests that other victims might come forward.
“Is that a case where anonymity should be automatic?”
Chris Henley, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, told the paper: “The law must be applied equally whoever you are.
“Money and apparent status should never be a card that can be played by the powerful to hide behind.”
(Image: PA)
It comes after a campaign by singer Sir Cliff Richard and DJ Paul Gambaccini – both falsely accused of historical sex offences – calling for sex offence suspects to remain anonymous until charged.
Following criticism, Mr Buckland clarified that he was not talking about sex offences but all types of crime.
He tweeted: “I agree that particular crimes should not be singled out, particularly sexual allegations.”
Before his clarification the comments were welcomed by Daniel Janner QC, son of the late Lord Janner and founder of pressure group Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform (Fair).
Following the report, Mr Janner told PA he was “delighted”, saying: “This will introduce fairness into the criminal justice system and is a reform that is long overdue.
“I am proud that Fair, with the support of singer Sir Cliff Richard and DJ Paul Gambaccini and others, appears to have changed the laws of this country for the good.”
A petition launched by Mr Janner aimed to “provide balance in the criminal justice system”, avoid suspects becoming “targets of opportunist and deluded claimants” as well as preventing “police searches of the homes of suspects who have not been charged being publicised”.
It currently has 27,373 signatures.
