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Richard, 78, one of Britain's best known
entertainers, was investigated by police over allegations of
historical child sex offenses but cleared in 2016. He
successfully sued the BBC after the corporation broadcast a
police raid on his house.
Under the current rules alleged victims of sexual offences
receive anonymity but suspects can be named. Police and
prosecutors have argued in the past that naming those who have
been accused of sexual offenses can encourage other victims to
come forward.
Joined outside parliament by radio DJ Paul Gambaccini and other
supporters, the veteran singer known for hits such as "Living
Doll" and "Summer Holiday" said he was hopeful the law would
change because people think "there's no smoke without fire" once
you are accused of such a crime.
"I felt I was in this hole I couldn't get out of," he told
reporters. "I felt like I had been hung out to dry ... my
reputation was in absolute tatters. Will I ever get over it? I
am past it."
A campaign group, which also includes broadcaster and comedian
Stephen Fry and TV boss Michael Grade, have launched a petition
which will be debated in parliament if it gets over 100,000
signatures. It had more than 6,000 shortly after midday.
Gambaccini, who also faced unfounded allegations of historical
sex offences, said he had been left under a cloud of suspicion
and unable to work until he was cleared.
He told the BBC the law encouraged "everyone from liars to
lunatics" to make false accusations.
(Reporting by Navdeep Yadav; editing by Michael Holden)
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