Clause 2 - Anonymity of defendant in rape etc. cases
Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]
5:30 pm
Ms Beverley Hughes (Minister of State (Citizenship and Immigration), Home Office; Stretford and Urmston, Labour)
It certainly is, and it has been the substance of much of our debate and discussion in Committee today. We have acknowledged those difficulties and have tried to assist with them in formulating various parts of the Bill. I respectfully suggest to the hon. Gentleman that that does not constitute an argument in support of anonymity for defendants in rape cases at whatever point in the process. The arguments advanced have not made the case on what differentiates those cases to justify anonymity. In deciding anonymity, we must weigh up not only the interests of the individual, but the wider public interest in having a criminal justice system that is executed publicly and is seen to be executed publicly.