Lily Allen has claimed she was “victim-shamed” by the Metropolitan police after speaking publicly about her seven-year stalking ordeal.
Over the weekend, in an interview with the Observer, Allen detailed being stalked by Alex Gray who is awaiting sentencing for the charges of burglary and harassment - not stalking. Over a seven-year period, Gray sent abusive tweets and letters to her and turned up at her workplace and concerts before forcing his way into the bedroom of her London flat and ripping the duvet off her last year. During the altercation he stole her handbag, later leaving the burnt version of it on the bonnet of her car.
During the interview Allen also revealed her frustration with the way her ordeal was handled by the Metropolitan police, saying she was made to feel more like a “nuisance than a victim”.
Following the critical interview, Allen received an email from a Met officer which suggested other victims could be deterred from coming forward.
“Due to the high-profile of this matter, I fear other victims of similar crimes may have read the story and now may not have the confidence in us to report such matters,” the letter said.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight Allen said the email was “victim shaming and victim blaming”.
Allen, who is in touch with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, says she will only feel relief if Gray is sentenced as a mentally ill person and she harbours no anger towards him. “He’s been let down, I’ve been let down and how many other people are being let down?” she said through tears.
The Metropolitan Police said they had no further comment to add in response to Allen’s most recent comments but on Sunday said they take stalking and harassment offences very seriously.
