Why has the Tory minister arrested for rape not been named?

It is the clues I do not understand, it's like the police are enjoying the guessing games

Seriously, why do it?

I have strong views about the calls for anonymity for those accused of rape, until they are convicted, which is called for by some.

In this case I think it's the right thing to do. Having a massive public load of press about this man now, with all the she's after money, doing it for political gain etc would be a bad thing. Her name would be smeared thoroughly before it ever got near a court

Having said that I can't see this coming to anything as he's a powerful man and she's a female intern.

I was very surprised by the outcome of the Alex salmond trial (I shouldn't have been) and he had multiple different women give evidence.

Don't want to even hint because of legal. Needless to say though I wasn't surprised, having worked around Westminster for years.

My MP is in his 50s but has never been a minister.

I bet he has never been so glad to be an “also ran” in his life!

Bet you don't !

I know who it is. There will be howls when it comes out.

There is a legal thread on Twitter on this. Basically it seems to boil down to the Times publishing enough detail that, should he be named, the complainant will be easy to identify.

Which puts everyone in a bit of a pickle; if charged, an employee with a role with safeguarding implications might normally be suspended pending investigation. However, that now can't be done without it becoming public knowledge. The Times have messed up royally.

Of course even if he's guilty the chances of him being charged, let alone convicted, are extremely low leaving young female interns at undue risk.

True, though I'd hope that those in the system who know who this is about keeping both their eyes and minds open.

Of course even if he's guilty the chances of him being charged, let alone convicted, are extremely low leaving young female interns at undue risk.

I'm not commenting on if he is guilty or whether it's wrong to withhold his name, but both options create dangerous potential consequences.

I'm nosy but recognise that prurient interest should never be allowed to jeopardise fair trial and - if guilty - conviction.

This. Further details will undoubtable emerge if there's enough evidence to charge him, and I'd much rather wait than jeopardise any trial.

Well, I am nosy and want to know who it is. Where can I find this list?

I'm nosy but recognise that prurient interest should never be allowed to jeopardise fair trial and - if guilty - conviction.

Just google for “Tory mp arrested reddit”

Quite a few threads....none actually naming him.

Well, I am nosy and want to know who it is. Where can I find this list?

I’ve looked at the list I’ve seen....if you also think about who has a house in Belgravia there’s only one I think who fits the bill. Possibly 3 but the other 2 are ex MPS and I think this is a current MP.

The problem is that I think there are only a few people who fit the description of a current MP in his 50s who is an ex-minister. It becomes pretty unfair on those who aren't under suspicion to make them the target of speculation. Though I suppose if all those who haven't been arrested announce that fact it won't be difficult to work out who's keeping quiet.

Presuming it will be leaked on Twitter by the end of the day, anyone else?

Suspects aren’t named uNTIL they’re charged, unless they’re Cliff Richards.

There’s 27 MPs who fit the profile of being ex ministers and in their 50s. I bet 26 of them are furious.

I’ve seen the list and only heard of 4 or 5 of them. So chances are it’s nobody well known.

It looks like they haven’t actually been charged yet, typically names aren’t published (for other crimes as well) until the person is charged. Obviously names still regularly leak.

There have been too many cases of trial by media getting in the way of court cases. This man has only been arrested on suspicion - I’ve always thought it was wrong that people who have just been arrested are splashed all over the news with the resulting career ending backlash. Maybe the media has learnt from cases like Cliff Richard and the whole ‘high level paedophile ring’ debacle which turned out to be a complete malicious fiction and ruined many lives.

Here's the Sunday Times piece which the bbc one is based on.

I'm somewhat of the opinion (though open to be convinced otherwise) that early release of the name of any suspect before much investigation can have occurred may not be wise.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-ex-minister-arrested-over-rape-qdm897rv2?shareToken=09f41ac13d65239c8443c2655e8475f7