Law in Ched Evans case to be reviewed

A law relied upon in the acquittal of Ched Evans is to be reviewed by the Government amid concerns it could deter women from reporting attacks.

The footballer was cleared of raping a 19-year-old woman at a retrial after a five-year battle to clear his name.

In a rare move, two men who had sex with the complainant at a similar time to the allegation gave evidence to the jury at Cardiff Crown Court.

It triggered fears that women would be discouraged from reporting sexual assaults and Vera Baird, a former solicitor-general, said the case would take Britain back “about 30 years”. Baroness Williams of Trafford, Home Office minister, told a debate that a review would be launched after hearing fears over the admissibility of a victim’s sexual history.

She said: “We accept that the concern should be looked at and we intend to deal with it.

“We have committed to looking at how the law is working in practice and will do so as expeditiously as possible, to understand whether any further action needs to be taken.”

The announcement was made while the House of Lords was debating the Policing and Crime Bill.