Anonymity of Suspects Bill

Key Points

• Creates a criminal offence for disclosing the identity of a person who is the subject of an investigation into alleged offences.
• The offence would apply to disclosures by individuals or organisations that reveal the person’s identity during the investigation.
• The Bill is intended to protect suspects’ anonymity and would set out penalties and enforcement provisions to be defined in the legislation.
• Introduced in the House of Commons by Sir Christopher Chope and currently at the second reading stage in the Commons.

Progress

The Bill is at the second reading in the House of Commons and has not yet progressed to committee stage or become law; it would need to pass through further stages in both Houses.