[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Sticks

So when was Cliff cleared? I missed that news report, and as far as I am concerned he is still under investigation as a child molester

Yes, you’re correct Sticks; I cannot find any up-to-date news on this matter so we don’t know whether any investigation is ongoing or not, but I’m quite certain that if Cliff had been charged, or if other ‘victims’ had come forward - ‘Jimmy Savile’ style - with additional allegations, then we would most certainly have heard all about it over the past 5 months.

“Identities of the accused must be made public, so other victims of the accused can come forward to assist the prosecution that is why the identity is made public of those arrested for rape.”

I think that it absolutely essential that we distinguish between a person who has had an - as yet – unsubstantiated allegation made against him and who is therefore - as yet – still innocent, as in Cliff’s case, and someone who has been charged, tried, and proven guilty.

In Cliff’s case he has had one solitary allegation made against him for an alleged incident in 1985, with no other allegations ‘surfacing’ in the 30 years since and there was absolutely no justifiable reason to divulge his identity to the public.

The ‘case’ against anyone accused of any crime should succeed or fail on its own individual merits by proper investigation into the facts specific to that particular case, without being influenced by any other allegations.

Once such investigation has been rigorously completed, and sufficient evidence discovered which results in the alleged perpetrator being charged with the alleged offence, then - and only then – can publicising the alleged perpetrator’s identity in the interests of enticing other alleged victims to come forward, be justified.

Cliff has already suffered embarrassment and shame, and his image and legacy has been irreparably tarnished, in addition to his lively-hood adversely suffering, because his identity was revealed as a result of this allegation but, as yet, he has not been charged with anything.