THE identity of a teenager accused of killing a top government official has been released by an Old Bailey judge.

Ben Bamford has been revealed as the suspect in the murder of top HMRC and Treasury official Paul Jefferies after a judge agreed to lift restrictions on naming the teen.

The 18-year-old from Crowborough will appear before judges at Lewes Crown Court later this year accused of murdering the 52-year-old tax advisor to former Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Jefferies was found at his home in Coggins Mill Lane in Mayfield near Uckfield on February 25 after colleagues expressed concerns for his welfare.

A post-mortem examination showed he died from multiple injuries.

Mr Jefferies had worked for HMRC for 20 years and had helped shaped Government policy on a range of tax and financial issues since Mr Osborne became Chancellor in 2010.

He has been described as a reclusive figure who barely set foot outside his door since moving from London to the rural quiet of Mayfield.

Mr Bamford was just 17 when he was charged with his murder in March and so his identity was protected under legal reporting restrictions.

But a judge ruled at his appearance by videolink at the Old Bailey on Friday that he can now be identified after turning 18 earlier this month.

Bamford, wearing a red T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name before entering a not guilty plea.

He appeared via videolink from Lewes prison where he is being held ahead his trial scheduled to begin at Lewes Crown Court on November 7.