No action against presenter Leslie

5:34pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

No further action will be taken over a rape allegation made against former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie, police confirmed.

The latest allegation against Leslie was claimed to have taken place at a party at his home in Sheen, west London. It was reported his accuser was in her early 20s when she claimed she was attacked.

The Metropolitan Police said that officers had investigated an allegation of rape and indecent assault on a woman from November 1995. The force said that following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service no further action would be taken.

Leslie's law firm released a statement on his behalf, saying he was "delighted" and the complaint was "ridiculous".

It also said there was "little justice and no fairness" in what Leslie and his family had been put through, having his name dragged through the mud once again.

The statement said: "We have ... been informed by the Metropolitan Police that the complaint against John Leslie has been dropped. Yet again, after a complete and thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that there is no truth or substance to the damaging allegations that were made against our client last month.

"He is of course delighted. The complaint was ridiculous, but yet again and for a second time his name has been dragged through the mud before the law has had a chance to confirm his innocence.

"The law confers a blanket of anonymity on complainants but the accused enjoys no such protection. Instead his reputation, his character, his career and his family are regarded as fair game by the media.

"There is little justice and no fairness in what our client and his family have been put through."

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