Lily Allen has accused police who dealt with her stalking case of "victim shaming and victim blaming". This week, the 30-year-old appeared on BBC Newsnight to talk about her seven year stalking ordeal, and read out an email she had received from an officer who said the high-profile nature of her claims might discourage other victims from coming forward.Her TV appearance followed an interview with The Observer, during which Lily spoke for the first time about her ordeal at the hands of stranger Alex Gray, which began on social media and ended up with him breaking into her bedroom while she slept.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLily Allen has accused the Met Police of "victim shaming"
The mum-of-two told the newspaper that the police had made her "feel like a nuisance, rather than a victim", and revealed that they asked her to give back the panic alarm they have lent her after just a few months.During her appearance on Newsnight, Lily said that after the interview was published she received an email from a police officer wanting to "understand what - if anything - went wrong during the investigation", and also suggesting that her response would dissuade others from reporting stalkers.
The mum-of-two opened up about her ordeal on BBC Newsnight
It read: "As you know there have been press reports suggesting you were dissatisfied with the response you received. Further, due to the high profile of this matter, I fear other victims of similar crimes have read the story and now may not have the confidence in us to support such matters. "As such, it is really important I can understand what – if anything – went wrong during the investigation. I was saddened to hear of this report, I would like to hear your views on what we could do better. "A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the force could not comment on the star's case but said stalking and harassment was taken "extremely seriously". "The victim should be at the heart of any investigation into such allegations and kept informed of developments as this work progresses," he said. "If this is not the case then we are keen to speak to victims and learn any lessons we can to improve our investigations."
© Photo: Getty ImagesLily said she had been stalked by Alex Gray for seven years
Mr Gray was convicted of burglary and harassment at Harrow Crown Court earlier this month and is now awaiting sentencing.Lily Allen said she doesn't blame him for her ordeal. "I'm not in the slightest bit angry with Alex Gray. I could see from the minute he came into my bedroom that he was ill and that he needed help," she said. "I wanted to help - I felt immediately like there's something really wrong with this guy and I feel like he's been let down. I've been let down. And how many other people are being let down?"
