Baroness Corston
Main Page: Baroness Corston (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Corston's debates with the Scotland Office
Sexual Offences Legislation
Baroness Corston Excerpts(5 years, 11 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Keen of Elie
I am not going to comment on the particulars of an individual case. However, police guidance is clear that the name of a suspect should not be released before they are charged. The naming of people who have been charged with a sexual offence is consistent with the principle of open justice.
Baroness Corston (Lab)
My Lords, I draw the Minister’s attention to an item in today’s Times, which states:
“Google is helping its users to uncover the identity of rape victims whose anonymity is protected by law”.
What action will or could the Government take?
Lord Keen of Elie
Again, I am not in a position to say what action the Government will take with regard to such a matter, but clearly such conduct could potentially be regarded as a contempt of court.