A Bill to prohibit the publication of certain information regarding persons who have been arrested until they have been charged with an offence; to set out the circumstances where such information can be published without committing an offence; and for connected purposes.
The Bill would prohibit the publication or broadcast of the name, address or image of a person arrested for an offence if such information would be likely to lead members of the public to identify him or her as the person suspected of committing that offence. These reporting restrictions would remain in force unless and until the arrested person was charged with the offence for which they had been arrested.The Bill also provides that, in certain circumstances, a Crown Court judge would be able to direct that the reporting restrictions should not apply, for example if publishing the identity of the suspect might lead to new complainants or witnesses coming forward.
House of Commons
2 May 2012
The bill would stop the media from publishing or broadcasting the name, address or image of someone who has been arrested if that information could identify them as the person suspected of the offence, and these restrictions would stay in place until they are charged. A Crown Court judge could direct that the restrictions do not apply in certain circumstances (for example, to help sources come forward). Once the person is charged, the restrictions would no longer apply.
The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. It will need to pass later readings in both Houses and receive Royal Assent to become law.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill has been withdrawn and will not progress any further.
The Bill had its first reading on 30 June 2010 through the Presentation Bill Procedure.
If you require any further information about the Bill then please contact the sponsoring Member, Anna Soubry.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
