A senior civil servant said he felt justice had finally been done after he was cleared of raping another high-flying worker at a "get to know you" party.

As he walked free, Michael Burrell said in a statement: "I am relieved my 14-month ordeal is now over.

"I feel justice has finally been done and I have been publicly vindicated."

Mr Burrell's trial was halted earlier this month after his alleged victim fell ill. He had to wait until yesterday to know whether he might have to face a retrial.

His alleged victim had first threatened not to give evidence unless protected from publicity but later changed her mind.

But while she was being cross-examined and giving intimate details of her personal life, she fell ill and was unable to continue. The jury was discharged.

What they did not know was that a doctor had examined her and reported it was "very unlikely she will become fully fit to give evidence without it being detrimental to her mental state. This could lead to a serious deterioration to the point of suicide".

Yesterday a statement from the woman was read to the court in which she said she could not continue with proceedings.

"The experience of giving evidence and cross-examination made me feel ill, too ill to continue during the trial.

"I have no reason to believe I would not find another trial at least as traumatic. I do not wish to make myself feel ill and do not wish to continue.

"I understand this means the defendant will be acquitted."

As a result Mr Justice Aikens entered formal not guilty verdicts and freed Burrell, a member of the Lord Chancellor's department.

Mr Burrell had always maintained the 38-year-old woman "cried rape" against him after the party held in a government office and put him through a lengthy ordeal.

Mr Burrell, 36, a bachelor from Crawley, was working as a senior civil servant in the Department for Constitutional Affairs when the incident occurred.

He had been involved in aspects of the Hutton Inquiry.

He denied raping and indecently assaulting the woman on September 29 last year.

After his arrest, he claimed she had instigated sex and consented to what went on.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said: "Following discussions with the police and counsel, we have decided that continuing with the case would be detrimental to the complainant's recovery and future health."

A spokesman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said Mr Burrell's future with the department was "an internal affair".