Member

It is that lack of evidence in bringing these clauses forward that causes me the gravest concern. Under the current system, when an anonymity order is made it is done only on evidence and in exceptional circumstances, as we saw in the Blake case. Here, we are trying to reverse that principle. After that case, noble Lords may also recall there was a review of the standards of conduct in firearms charges—the Godwin/Fulford review. Even then, no issues were raised about the anonymity protection for officers. That was drawn by the Home Secretary from some concerns—and they were put no higher than “concerns”—in the evidence given to that inquiry.