'Secret law' storm as police chiefs ban public from knowing who they arrest: Shock new blanket ban in the wake of Leveson report angers civil liberty groups who condemn threat to democracy | Mail Online

'Britain's police chiefs are drawing up draconian rules under which the identities of people they arrest will be kept secret from the public.

The move, which follows a recommendation by Lord Justice Leveson in his report into press standards, has been branded an attack on open justice and has led to comparisons with police states such as North Korea and Zimbabwe.

Under current arrangements, police release basic details of a person arrested and in many cases will confirm a name to journalists. But the practice varies from force to force.

Under the new guidance, to be circulated by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), forces will be banned from confirming the names of suspects, even when journalists know the identity of someone who has been arrested.

Without official police confirmation, the legal risks of incorrect identification will prevent the media from publishing the names of suspects.'

An unintended (?)  consequence of Leveson? A step closer to a police state? Well done Hugh.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2305177/Secret-law-storm-police-chiefs-ban-public-knowing-arrest-Shock-new-blanket-ban-wake-Leveson-report-angers-civil-liberty-groups-condemn-threat-democracy.html