Andrew and Tristan Tate's attempt to bring a legal challenge against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for not disclosing the names of their alleged victims in UK criminal proceedings has been dismissed by a High Court judge. The brothers, who are currently living in Romania, face extradition to the UK on 21 charges including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking. Both have strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Background of the Case
On Tuesday, lawyers for the Tates argued in the High Court that the CPS had acted unlawfully by refusing to reveal the names of the alleged victims until the brothers return to the UK. They claimed this breach of their right to a fair trial. However, CPS barristers countered that the decision to withhold the names was 'time-limited' and made due to concerns that the Tates could identify and potentially intimidate the alleged victims online.
Court Ruling
On Friday, Mr Justice Chamberlain dismissed the challenge, stating it was not 'arguable'. In a summary of his ruling, the judge said: 'The decision taken in this case was coherent and rational.' In his 12-page judgment, he further noted that 'this is not a case where it can be said, even arguably', that the Tates' human rights had been breached. He added: 'The claimants will be provided with the identities of the complainants if and when they are surrendered to and prosecuted in this jurisdiction. In general, that is the point when an accused person is expected to answer the case against him and, therefore, the point when, as a matter of fairness, he needs to be given the information necessary to enable him to provide that answer.'
Details of the Charges
The UK charges relate to offences allegedly committed between 2012 and 2016. Andrew Tate has described himself and his brother as 'very innocent men'. The legal proceedings in Romania are ongoing, and extradition to the UK will follow their conclusion.
