Publically identifying a suspect be a criminal offence except for safeguarding

Rejected 13 signatures

What the petition asks

It has become normal practice for those accused of offences to be named. Many news organisations now refer to suspects as 'locally named' so run the risk of naming the wrong person. It should be the case that a suspect has the right to not be named until charged/summonded for an offence.

There have been a number of occasions recently where people have been named and then no further action has been taken against that person but their names are tarnished and some suffer greatly for the consequences. Cliff Richard and others are recent high profile cases.
It should be the case that an accused person has a right to privacy until charge so that, if no further action is taken, their reputation and character is maintained.
A district judge should be authorise naming for safeguarding

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

An accused should have the right to total anonymity until a verdict is passed.

Timeline

12 Jul 2016	Petition opened for signatures
21 Jul 2016	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 13

Status Rejected

Rejected 21 Jul 2016

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