Braverman to consider giving anonymity to suspects to end 'media circus'

The home secretary will examine the possibility of giving anonymity to suspected criminals following concern over the identification and treatment of high-profile people wrongly accused of sexual abuse.

- Rajeev Syal

Suella Braverman made the pledge after criticising the "media circus" surrounding accusations against the singer Cliff Richard and the former MP Harvey Proctor, which both said had ruined their lives.

Braverman told Young Conservatives at the party conference in Birmingham that "trial by media would only undermine our justice system". Asked about the treatment of Richard and Proctor, both of whom were cleared of any wrongdoing after facing high-profile claims, she said: "We have had some high-profile instances where the media circus around a suspect who has not been charged has been devastating.

"I think coverage of people prior to charge can be very, very damaging, particularly if the charges are not pursued or if they are dropped later on," she said.