The Criminal Records Bureau

I read this story without surprise. I think that's the saddest thing I've ever written. The CRB now records all allegations, suspicions, odd incidents that might conceivably to somebody with a sufficiently nasty mind have criminal undertones - and regurgitates them to potential employers of anyone who may work with children or vulnerable adults.

Reading it over, I was struck by a thought I have often had recently. When allegations are reported in this way by the CRB, they are by definition published. If the allegations were malicious, designed to damage the person concerned, that is publishing a malicious libel - a very serious civil offence, both in this country and in that bastion of the right to spout any nonsense you like, the United States. Every time I see a case like this, I suspect we are moving one step closer to the day somebody sues the CRB for defamation - and wins.

I wonder what will happen then. Will there be a further reform of procedures, to make only police records available? Will cases where enquiries actively cleared (not merely decided there was insufficient evidence) the subject of said enquiries be stricken from the record? Or will the CRB be taken to the cleaners to such an extent - a quick estimate suggests that in some cases there might be millions of pounds to pay in lost earnings, compensation and costs - that it actually collapses?

It will be very interesting to see.