'Rape' witness speaks to police

The alleged incident took place at the Grosvenor House hotel

Police investigating the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl by Premiership footballers at a London hotel say a "very useful" witness has come forward.

Officers still want to talk to anyone visiting or working at the Grosvenor House hotel early on 27 September.

Broadcasters were taking care on Saturday to avoid carrying any chants from football grounds naming those allegedly involved.

One player has already complained to the attorney general after a newspaper named his team as being questioned.

Police say they are contacting everybody on their list of people staying or working at the Park Lane hotel that night.

But they urged anyone who had not already been spoken to, to come forward.

They have also warned that the investigation was "still at an early stage", and that it could be weeks or months before any decision was taken on whether to make any arrests.

ARE YOU A WITNESS? Anyone with information can contact: Police on 07769 952519, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

The case, said to involve eight footballers, has received widespread media coverage.

But the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, warned newspapers and broadcasters to show restraint and not make names public, in case it ruined any future trial.

He said he was "very concerned that evidence is not distorted by potentially prejudicial reporting at this stage".

"The police investigation in this matter is in progress and the attorney general reminds editors to... ensure that nothing is done which could impede the investigation or the administration of justice," he said.

DNA evidence

The unnamed player who complained to Lord Goldsmith made the move after the Daily Sport identified a team, under the headline "Premiership sex scandal - club at centre of gangbang police quiz".

I would hate to see any chance of possible future proceedings put in jeopardy by further speculation Commander Yates of the Metropolitan Police

Commander John Yates of the Metropolitan Police urged "all sections of the media" to comply with Lord Goldsmith's advice "in the interests of justice and fairness to all those involved".

"I would hate to see any chance of possible future proceedings put in jeopardy by further speculation," he said.

Equally, he was concerned not to allow "men who have not been charged with any crime and who may not be linked to this offence to face a trial by media".

At the moment, the threat of a libel action is the only legal obstacle to publication of the players' names by the media.

There is a law about contempt of court, designed to ensure a fair trial free from prejudicial reporting, but it applies only from the moment of arrest.

The sixth-former behind the allegations made a complaint at Marylebone police station in central London on Saturday, and underwent medical examination at a rape counselling suite.

Forensic experts have examined rooms for DNA evidence at the five-star hotel in Park Lane.

Anyone with information can contact police on 07769 952519 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.