§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Attorney-General what consideration the DPP gives to the need for corroborative evidence when deciding whether to proceed with prosecutions for alleged rape; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralCorroborative evidence is not demanded as a matter of law for a charge of rape to be capable of being proved. The CPS assesses the available evidence in accordance with the criteria contained in the code for Crown prosecutors, bearing in mind the legal 23W requirement that a judge shall warn a jury that it is dangerous to convict of rape without some corroboration. Only if the Crown prosecutor considers that there is a realistic prospect of a conviction, and that a prosecution is required in the public interest, will the case proceed to court.