Internet fears over 'rape' claim

Concern is growing over controls of the internet as names of alleged football rapists were widely circulated on websites today.

Police are still investigating the alleged attack on a 17-year-old girl at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane by up to eight Premiership players, but the identities of the men have been revealed on a series of websites.

Experts today said this highlights a loophole in the legal system in which names are put in the public domain with no proof of guilt or even charges being brought.

One well known discussion site associated with a Premiership club was closed today after some contributors named individuals accused of the alleged rape.

The Internet Service Providers' Association said: "There have been several high-profile cases, most recently involving David Beckham, where sites have printed rumours. It is incredibly hard to control this, as there is no clear legal guidance as to who is responsible.

"We are calling for a complete overhaul of the law in this area, because at the moment it is very confusing when it comes to defamation. As internet service providers we are not publishers, yet at the moment we are having to act as judge and jury on what we take down, taking responsibility for the content. That is not right - a judge needs to decide this. We have repeatedly asked the Government to address the problem, and the Law Commission for England and Wales is backing our campaign, yet nothing has been done."

The development emerged today as a specialist team of Scotland Yard detectives began examining CCTV footage from the security cameras of the Grosvenor House hotel.

Officers from Operation Sapphire, the Met's task force to tackle sex crimes, were also continuing to question the victim, whose complaint has left football dreading the possibility of another high-profile and potentially devastating court case.

An England star, understood to be at the centre of the scandal, is reported to have denied even being at the scene and his teammates are also said to be protesting their innocence.

As the investigation intensified today, forensic teams moved into sealed-off rooms at the hotel.