Both the Met and Crown Prosecution Service have denied suppressing information or giving Edwards preferential treatment but one former attorney general has questioned the decision not to release the information earlier.
Sources have now told The Telegraph concern over Edwards’ vulnerability and mental health played a part in the decision to withhold information until the last minute.
The source, with knowledge of the case, said: “In a situation like this, where there is so much public interest, it would be standard practice for the police or CPS to inform the public as soon as the person was charged.
“But concern over Edwards’ mental health was certainly a factor in deciding not to release all the details immediately. The intention was to release details of the charges the day before he was due in court.
“This was not an attempt to cover it up but simply to manage the inevitable frenzy that would follow the news being made public. The important thing was that justice was seen to be done.”