The claim
“The Coalition Government made it clear from the outset that it would proceed with defendant anonymity in rape cases only if the evidence justifying it was clear and sound.”
Justice Minister Crispin Blunt, 12 November 2010

The background
Today the government scrapped its pledge to grant anonymity to rape defendants, which had caused such a furore after it was included in the Coalition agreement.

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt tried to explain away the change, saying: “The Coalition Government made it clear from the outset that it would proceed with defendant anonymity in rape cases only if the evidence justifying it was clear and sound.”

But is it as clear cut as he says?

The analysis
FactCheck feels duty-bound to point out that at the “outset” the Coalition agreement simply stated: “We will extend anonymity in rape cases to defendants.”

Of course, when quizzed about the policy following the initial outcry, various members of the Coalition front bench have been more reserved than their agreement in advocating the policy.

Just three weeks after getting the keys to Number 10, David Cameron told MPs at his first PMQs: “The Coalition agreement mentions the issue of anonymity, and we will of course be bringing forward proposals, which the House can then examine and debate.”

The following week, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg – whose party didn’t feature the proposals in its election manifesto even though it has been policy since 2006 – went further to tell MPs: “I want to make it clear that, although the Government have proposed the idea, we want to listen to everybody who has a stake or expertise in or insight into the matter. If our idea does not withstand sincere scrutiny, we will of course be prepared to change it.”

And their assertions were repeated in parliament by Crispin Blunt and Justice Secretary Ken Clarke in subsequent debates.

But all of this was after the initial document provoked angry reactions from women’s groups and MPs.

The verdict
The Coalition may have backed off from the pledge in the Coalition agreement, but not before the print dried. At the “outset” the statement was very clear – they pledged simply to “extend anonymity in rape cases to defendants”.