Peter Andre says sex offenders should have anonymity until they’re actually found guilty
Pop star backs Sir Cliff Richard's plea for the law to be changed
PETER Andre has backed Sir Cliff Richard's appeal to have the law changed to protect the identity of people accused of sex offences until they are charged.
The Summer Holiday singer recently had charges of historical sexual offences dropped against him after a public 22 month ordeal, and immediately spoke out to Good Morning Britain about how the CPS needs to change the law.
He told Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain: "The Leveson report, he wrote that there is a guideline for how the police should behave and it's very simple, it says, ’except in exceptional circumstances, people should never be named unless they are charged.
He continued: "In the case of people like myself or anybody that is not charged with, this is sexual molestation, the name should never be out there, unless you have been charged, and here I am 22 months and a week later and no charge.
"I don't like the idea of being collateral damage, and that's what I’ve been for 22 months."
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Many of Cliff's friends have come out in support of the star since the charges were dropped, and now fellow pop star Peter, 43, has revealed he also agrees with the 75-year-old's views.
Writing in his column, he said: "Like Sir Cliff, I agree there should be anonymity for those accused of such crimes until they're actually found guilty. The sad fact is, for famous people, 'innocent until proven guilty' doesn't seem to exist anymore.
"Although he now faces no charges, his name has still been smeared and, sadly, some people will still question his innocence."
During his chat with Susanna, the pair discussed whether accusers should also maintain anonymity for life.
Cliff said: "I can understand protecting children, but my accusers are all men, grown up men, probably in their forties and into their fifties.
"I don’t see why they should be protected."
The case against the Cliff was dropped due to "insufficient evidence", and the star could barely hide his frustration as he explained to the presenter what he had been through.
He explained: "I still feel tarnished because 'insufficient' suggests maybe there’s something there, and I know there wasn’t."
He also spoke out about how his perceptions of people have changed since the accusations were made public, as well as his approach to trusting others.
He added: "Yes to a certain extent it [has], I am very cagey now when I am having pictures taken with people.
"And I don't like that feeling, because I've always had photographs taken with grandparents and their grandchildren.
"I have had my arms around their grandchildren, that's my life, I'm a family entertainer and that's what I have done. But that's one thing I am going to have to try and get rid of.”