Calls for police bail to be capped at four weeks

More than 5,000 people in the UK have been on bail without charge for six months. Credit: PA

The time limit for police bail should be restricted to four weeks to stop people "languishing in legal limbo", according to an MP-backed campaign.

Figures released in October showed more than 70,000 people in the UK were on bail, with around 5,000 not being charged after more than six months.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, signatories including former Tory police minister Damien Green, called for a 28-day cap after high-profile cases against stars such as Paul Gambaccini, Jim Davidson and Freddie Starr went no further following months of investigation.

The letter said: "Innocent people have been left on bail for years before their cases are dropped or thrown out of court.

"Their careers are put on hold, and the mental anguish of not knowing what will happen is in itself a form of punishment without trial. There is not right of appeal.

"These individuals are innocent until proved guilty, but justice delayed in justice denied."

Home Secretary Theresa May has previously said she would look at introducing a statutory time limit.

Other signatories on the campaign include former Scotland Yard officer Lord Paddick, Frances Crook, CEO of the Howard League of Penal Reform and Andrew Caplen, president of the Law Society.

Human rights campaigners, including Liberty, have called for bail to be restricted to six months.