AN MP has warned collapsed rape trials ‘can destroy the lives of the accused’ after a review into all current rape and serious sexual assault cases was announced.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced it was reviewing all live rape and sexual offence cases after a string of defendants facing rape allegations had the charges against them dropped when critical evidence emerged at the 11th hour.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assaulted in 2013 and faced a trial before being cleared of all charges in 2014.

Mr Evans said it is vital all information is made available by all sides before cases goes to trial.

He also said he would like to see ‘anonymity until charged’ to help protect the name of defendants wrongly accused.

Mr Evans said: “There have been around 900 cases which have collapsed in the last 12 months.

“That is 900 more people who have been put through hell and back.

“The impact it has on friends and family is a crime in itself.

“Only people who have been through it will know what it’s truly like.

“The other thing I would like to see is anonymity until charged.

“Names being sullied and dragged through the dirt is damage enough.

“It can honestly destroy lives.”

A lack of resources is a “factor” in disclosure failings that have led to collapsed rape trials, but those cases are primarily the result of police and prosecutors not acting as expected, the Attorney General has said.

The cases have rocked confidence in the criminal justice system.

In the lead-up to trials, police and prosecutors are required to hand over relevant material that either undermines the prosecution case or assists the defence case.

The Ribble Valley MP said it is ‘vital’ as much information as possible is made available.

Mr Evans said: “The number of cases that have collapsed right before going to court has gone up 70 per cent in the last two years.”