Mark Pritchard MP calls for rape anonymity to be reviewed after 'vindicative and outrageous' allegation against him

Rape Crisis have 'grave concerns' about changes to law which could 'lead to fewer survivors coming forward'

MP Mark Pritchard speaking outside the House of Parliament (PA)

An MP has called for the laws of anonymity surrounding rape to be reviewed after police dropped an inquiry into what he described as a “vindictive and outrageous” allegation against him.

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard for Wrekin was arrested after voluntarily attending a London police station on 2 December, but was informed today he would face no further action due to lack of evidence.

In a brief statement read to reporters outside Westminster, Mr Pritchard claimed: “The law on anonymity does need to reviewed and ‘fairness’ does need to play a far greater role in these cases.”

The Tory MP said the past weeks had been a “testing time” and that to be “falsely accused of anything is an awful thing.”

He said his accuser had “concocted” a "vindictive and outrageous story.”

Mr Pritchard added that as an MP, “sometimes you have a target on your back.”

A spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales told The Independent they had “grave concerns” regarding a change in the law, which could “lead to fewer survivors coming forward”.

The spokesperson continued that victim anonymity is “extremely important for their personal safety as allegations of sexual violence are hugely misunderstood and can lead to victimisation of the individual so identified.”

“The law is there to prevent this happening and taking away the anonymity of the victim will lead to fewer survivors coming forward to report to the police.”

A police spokesman said: “A 48-year-old man voluntarily attended a north London police station on Tuesday, December 2 where he was arrested, following an allegation of rape in central London.

“He returned on bail on January 6 where he was informed he will face no further action as there was insufficient evidence.”