Surely, after a senior and responsible police officer - DCI Paul Settle - decided there was no case to answer, anybody interfering with that decision, whether by subsequently sexing up the accusations or by attempting to gain prestige, promotion, higher profile or Brownie points, is guilty of Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice?

Whether they be other, ambitious police, politicians or CPS?

Wasting Police Time and Misfeasance in Public Office are other offences. Whatever the motives - genuine delusion, desire for attention, greed for compensation cash, desire to earn hefty legal fees, craving for public approval or promotion - to attempt to twist the judicial process is a serious offence.

I think such behaviour as publicly stating a crime has been committed (credible and true) before investigation has taken place might well, especially if the claim is found to be false, be conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. So might be making official public statements like - you will be believed - when not qualifying such remarks by - unless you are lying. Encouraging such crimes used to be regarded as unwise and possibly criminal in days gone by when blackmailers were frowned upon by the police.

Yes, in those days it was a direct demand for cash. These days, legally assisted compensation (and sometimes media fees) are wiser routes.

As for assisting witnesses (or victims as preferred by bent cops - again perverting the course of justice, describing a liar as a victim confirms the position of the stupid or, perhaps, criminal making such an assumption) - surely that, if proven, can be evidence of conspiracy? Your abuser has an alibi for April so you had better change your statement to May - is not, and never has been, honest policing.

Just as publicist Max Clifford may have thought he was covering his backside when telling a dodgy bird with tales about footballers - I must believe you are telling the truth - wink, wink, nudge, nudge - so any politician justifying his interference by saying he is - helping the abused get their voices heard - may be mistaken. If his assistance comes after a claimant changes their story when the original claim was rejected, it might be wise for him or her NOT to take any steps that could be seen to be -

Conspiring to Pervert the Course of Justice.