Police ordered to declare they are not hiding evidence in rape cases

Liam Allan and his mother Lorraine after the charges against him were dropped
Liam Allan and his mother Lorraine after the charges against him were dropped
BEN GURR FOR THE TIMES

Police investigating rape allegations are being ordered to declare that they have disclosed all evidence that could undermine the prosecution.

In response to growing fears that vital evidence which could clear innocent defendants may have been covered up, detectives have been told to provide details of all mobile phones seized and all material downloaded from them.

Procedures were reviewed after the trial of Liam Allan collapsed last month. Police had failed to highlight messages from the phone of his accuser that showed she was lying.

Mr Allan, 22, said after the case against him at Croydon crown court was dropped that he felt betrayed by police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Prosecution and defence lawyers have become increasingly dismayed in recent months by the