Muslim leader cleared of rape calls for anonymity for those accused of sex crimes

A former government advisor and Muslim community leader has had rape charges against him dropped.

Farooq Siddique, from Bristol, has also had accusations of assaults and threats to kill thrown out of court today.

He had been charged with three counts of raping a woman in Bristol between 2009 and 2014 as well, as assaulting the same woman in Cheltenham in 2010 and Gloucester between 2013 and 2015.

The case was dropped at Bristol Crown Court when the prosecution offered no evidence.

Farooq Siddique had previously condemned the charges as 'nonsense' and his defence team criticised the amount of time it has taken to clear his name.

He now says he is joining the call for those accused of sexual crimes to receive anonymity until taken to trial.

Farooq Siddique said: