This petition was submitted during the 2015-2017 parliament
Rejected petition Publically identifying a suspect be a criminal offence except for safeguarding
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.
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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
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.
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https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/123777
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