Paul Welsh in his film nostalgia column (“What happened to innocent until proven guilty?, Borehamwood Times, August 22) succinctly covered a pivotal issue that has recently come to light with our legal system and I feel strongly about.

I refer to the recent police raid on Sir Cliff Richard’s apartment and presence of a BBC television crew to record the event, which has illustrated the current maxim operating under our legal system — “You are now guilty until proven innocent”.

For celebrities and people in the public domain accused (but not at the time charged) with any crime, this has replaced the “presumption of innocence” as explained by Mr Welsh.

This is highly significant for everyone, but particularly here in our locality where we have so many famous people working, shopping and generally being around with the studios and film facilities here in Elstree and Borehamwood.

How would you react if you were to spot a celebrity and they have been subjected to this totally unacceptable situation?

Like everyone else, I have no idea if Sir Cliff is guilty or not of any sexual assault crime, but he has now started to serve a sentence anyway with potentially cancelled gigs, reduced airplay for his songs and undue suffering for his family, friends, and Sir Cliff.

We should operate justice on the basis of no naming, shaming and potential blaming of suspects before charging them.

Stephen Miller

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