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Seeing an incredible amount of speculation as to why the suspect in this story has not been named.
Here’s why they can’t be at this stage...
1/4 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53625829
Here’s why they can’t be at this stage...
1/4 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53625829
Until someone is charged, we don’t know authorities have evidence to suggest a suspect is guilty of anything. Publishing the identity of a suspect at this early stage – even though it is a fact – creates an inference that the suspect might be guilty and is defamatory. 2/4
If this inference turns out to be unfounded (the person isn’t charged), the media organisation publishing the name of the suspect could have a hard job defending the story in any subsequent libel case.
3/4
3/4
Many sections of the media have arguably already gone further than they should in terms of identifying information. By narrowing down age, current job & former political position - they could be open to a group defamation claim from those not arrested who tick the same boxes 4/4
