Got to disclose your name to a British Police Officer when asked?
I said you have too a friend says not?
Is there any legal beagles out their put an end to our argument?
Simple answer is NO. You don't HAVE to give your name to OB unless you're suspected of a crime.
Let me clarify; It's not illegal to refuse to give your name. If they suspect strongly that you've committed a crime, do you honestly think that they're going to let you go just because you gave them your name?
The easy way to handle yourself in a situation like the black guy in Bristol was facing is to ask them if you're under arrest. If the answer is no, then you're free to walk away.
If they want to question you, they'll arrest you anyway - specially if you start to walk away - regardless of whether or not you give them your name or show them your ID, so why make life easy on them?
And before anyone else comes up with the 'if you haven't done anything wrong, you've got nothing to worry about' routine, think again. OB are not your friends. They're looking to nick you, not eliminate you from their enquiries, and if you're unlucky enough to get their attention, treat them and the situation respectfully, but be firm.
They're not law makers or enforcers, despite what some of them think.
They police us with the consent of the governed - which is us. End of. They don't like smart arses reminding of that fact, but there you go.
The Bristol guy made the mistake of getting shitty with them, which I don't blame him for as they ended up harrassing him, and he was unfortunate to come across a female who seemed to panic when he got lairy (biggest mistake of her career, because she'll be thrown out of the force for what she did with the taser).
What happened to him proves my point though: They were obviously going to make an arrest anyway, and once he took the stance that he wasn't going to give him his name he should have kept calm. He was completely in the right legally, but he should have remained in control and talked to them respectfully.
I'd always advocate speaking to them confidently and respecfully as most of them are decent people. If you come across an arsehole, a rookie or a pair of good cop-bad cops, just keep calm and stand your ground, respectfully.
I believe the exception to this is if you're stopped in a motor vehicle, Then you have to tell them who you are by law.
I've tried this once. As it happens, the copper I spoke to seemed a really decent guy and almost looked hurt that I didn't give my name. He went to great legnths to reassure me, but I was polite and firm, and just told him that I'd just rather not give him my name unless he suspected me of committing a crime. He asked me what he should call me if he didn't have my name, and I just said SIR - the same as I'm calling you, sir.
In the end, he said I wasn't under attest and he didn't suspect me of committing an offence. We shook hands and I was off on my way.