‘Well-known individual’ fails in bid for injunction against Guardian and ITN
Person’s anonymity remains in place subject to any appeal against high court decision
TL;DR
- The high court has ruled against a "well-known individual" (PPT) attempting to stop the Guardian and ITN from publishing allegations of inappropriate sexual activities.
- PPT's legal team claimed he was "highly likely" to attempt suicide if the allegations were published, stating he had attempted suicide twice.
- The judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, agreed that publication would substantially increase PPT's risk of suicide but ruled it was the state's health services' responsibility to protect him, not the court's to stop publication.
- PPT cited articles 2, 3, and 8 of the European convention on human rights (ECHR) in his bid for an injunction.
- The judge balanced PPT's rights with the media's right to freedom of expression, stating an injunction would be an "exceptionally serious interference."
- The allegations, which PPT denies, involve him using his power and status to engage in or seek inappropriate sexual activity with young women.
- The judge emphasized that the case did not determine the truth of the allegations, only whether publication should be prevented.
- The claimant's anonymity remains in place as he was granted permission to appeal the ruling.