The Hamiltons were accused in a blaze of publicity

Monday's vote came after peers had been debating the government's far-reaching attempt to reform sexual offences legislation.

They voted by 109 to 105 in favour of giving anonymity to people accused of rape.

But the government said justice depended on openness and vowed to overturn the defeat.

Under current laws, the complainant is entitled to anonymity but it has been possible to name the accused since 1988, including some high-profile personalities.

Former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine were accused of rape but the case later collapsed.

Their accuser, Nadine Milroy-Sloan, was convicted of perverting the course of justice and described as a "fantasist" in court.

The Hamiltons called for a change in the law to preserve the anonymity of people in their position.

Introducing anonymity for defendants in these category of cases could reduce our chances of bringing more offenders to justice Lord Falconer Home Office Minister

But following the defeat, a Home Office spokesman said: "We appreciate the very great distress that is often experienced by those wrongly accused or charged with a sexual offence after having been publicly identified.

"However the criminal justice system operates on a principle of openness which is a vital ingredient in maintaining public confidence and encouraging witnesses to come forward.

"We do not believe there is any justification for those charged with sexual offences to be singled out for special protection while other defendants including those accused of murder could be identified."

Suicide

Former lord justice of appeal, Lord Ackner, led the rebellion and cited the case of a GP who was arrested in front of his family but subsequently had all charges against him dropped.

Tory peer Baroness Blatch said the publicity surrounding such cases could drive a man to suicide.

"I can't think of anything more dreadful than someone who is completely innocent and is vexatiously charged, having to live through the kind of publicity that goes with that."

Mr Kelly's case was mentioned by peers

But Home Office Minister Lord Falconer said granting anonymity to people accused of rape would put some women off from approaching the police with their complaint.

"Introducing anonymity for defendants in these category of cases could reduce our chances of bringing more offenders to justice and might well impact on public confidence in the system."

In the course of a House of Lords debate, the case of television presenter Matthew Kelly was also raised.

He was questioned over child sex abuse offences but following a police investigation it was found there was no case for the entertainer to answer.

But Mr Kelly had come under intense media scrutiny as the complaint was investigated.