Andrew Tate challenges court's decision to withhold names of rape accusers

Andrew Tate challenges court's decision to withhold names of rape accusers Influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are seeking to challenge the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to withhold the names of their accusers in the UK, the High Court has heard Influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have not been told the names of the women in the UK who have accused them of sexual violence over fears the pair might share them on social media, the High Court has heard. The Tates' lawyers are seeking to challenge the decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which said in court documents that there was a "real risk" the Tates would publish their accusers’ names online or seek to contact them, "with the consequential risk of interference with the administration of justice". The CPS authorised charges against the brothers, who are citizens of both the UK and the US, in March 2024 in relation to alleged offences dating back to between 2012 and 2016. Andrew Tate, 39, faces 10 charges including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain relating to three alleged victims. Tristan Tate, 37, faces 11 charges including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking against one alleged victim. The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of criminal proceedings against them in Romania. At the High Court in London on Tuesday, the Tates' barrister, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins, said the CPS's assumption that the brothers would identify the complainants on social media and cause them to withdraw from proceedings was an "inflated assumption of risk". She also argued that withholding the identities impedes the brothers’ ability to defend themselves and breaches their right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ms Bennett-Jenkins said in written submissions: "It is hard to avoid the conclusion that they have been treated differently from other suspects or defendants in criminal proceedings. "The controversial opinions of the [Tates] are not a proper basis for denying them basic information about the criminal allegations they face." But CPS lawyer Tom Little told the court on Tuesday that the decision to withhold the identities was a "time-limited decision" until "proceedings commence substantively" in the UK. He said the men would be given sufficient time to prepare for trial when they are returned to the UK. On Tuesday, the court heard that the brothers remain in Romania, where they are subject to Romanian judicial control. The court heard that the CPS rejected the brothers' offer to be interviewed by British authorities under caution in Bucharest. Mr Justice Chamberlain told the court that he would rule on the Tate brothers' application for a judicial review by the end of the week. A CPS spokesperson said: "Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the CPS, and we are committed to treating every victim with the care and protection they deserve. We await the high court’s decision and will consider our next steps."