In one trial the defence barrister said that use of Section 41 was to show that “she is an adulteress”.

Pressure is mounting on the government over unfair questioning of rape complainants in court after a campaign was launched led by two former Solicitor Generals – eminent lawyer Dame Vera Baird QC, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, and Harriet Harman QC MP –  to tackle the issue of rape complainants being questioned in court about their previous sexual history.