Leslie's relief after rape allegations are dropped

JOHN Leslie, a former Blue Peter presenter, yesterday said he was "delighted" after a rape allegation was dropped.

His accuser was in her late 20s at the time of the alleged attack at Leslie's London home in 1995.

Metropolitan Police investigated, but confirmed yesterday that no further action would be taken after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Leslie's law firm described the complaint as "ridiculous" and said there was "little justice" in the anonymity given to his accuser.

In a statement, it said: "Yet again, after a complete and thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that there is no truth or substance to the damaging allegations that were made against our client."

It said for the second time that the Scot's name had been "dragged through the mud" before the law had confirmed his innocence.

Leslie was acquitted of two counts of indecent assault on an actress in 2003.