The Daily Telegraph

I deserved anonymity, says aide falsely accused of rape

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A CONSERVATI­VE MP’S aide who was wrongly accused of rape and sexual assault in Parliament has said those accused should be given anonymity.

Speaking for the first time since he was found not guilty, Sam Armstrong said he endured 14 months of “cruel public shaming” after he was falsely accused of rape in October 2016, when he was 24.

Mr Armstrong was suspended as chief of staff to Craig Mackinlay, the South Thanet MP, after being accused of forcing himself upon a woman in the MP’S Westminste­r office. The pair had been drinking earlier that evening in the Houses of Parliament before having sex. He was later arrested on suspicion of rape.

Although Mr Armstrong was cleared by a jury of all four charges – two of rape and two of sexual assault – last December, he said his identity should have been protected from the start of the legal process and only revealed had he been convicted.

He said: “It was untrue, it was unfounded, it was malicious and ultimately it was shown to be so. An event I thought entirely innocent became the most consequent­ial thing in my life”.

The law grants lifetime anonymity to victims of rape and sexual offences, while the accused can be named as soon as police press charges. Advocates of the current law say naming those charged with sex crimes encourages other possible victims to come forward.

“I was a young person with an exciting career and I had worked hard to get somewhere,” Mr Armstrong said. “I was fortunate enough to work for a fantastic boss and I loved the work for Thanet. Overnight all that changed in that a young lady made an allegation against me.”

He added that when his name was publicised, his friends “thought the worst of me”.

During his trial at Southwark Crown Court and 14 months after the alleged incident, the jury heard his accuser had contacted a newspaper. Text messages revealed she had wanted to conceal her medical records showing that she suffered depression and anxiety.

Mr Armstrong added: “It seems to me entirely fair that [anonymity] is extended to suspects, that we protect people until we are able to show beyond all reasonable doubt that they are guilty.”

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