An anonymous celebrity loses UK court bid to block reports of alleged sexual misconduct
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
LONDON (AP) — An unidentified celebrity lost a bid Tuesday for a U.K. court injunction to block two news organizations from publishing allegations against him.
Lawyers for Independent Television News and the Guardian newspaper’s publisher told the High Court last month that the allegations they wanted to publish were about the man’s “abuse of power and status” and sexual misconduct involving a number of young women.
The celebrity denies wrongdoing, according to his lawyer, Sara Mansoori, who said he intended to take his own life if the allegations were published.
Mansoori said the man had made a suicide attempt when he received letters from ITN and Guardian News and Media seeking his response to the allegations. He later made another attempt, and had been examined by more than 10 doctors in relation to his mental health, she said.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Britain because it highlights questions over public figures’ right to privacy and what media can report on the basis of public interest.
Gavin Millar, representing the media companies, has said that the allegations were gathered after “a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation” and that there was a “strong” public interest in publishing them.
“The defendants allege that, over a period of years, the claimant used his status and influence as a well-known public figure to establish contact with young women, some considerably younger than him, and that he engaged or sought to engage in seriously inappropriate conduct,” according to a summary of Tuesday’s judgment.
Some of the alleged conduct could amount to criminal offenses if proven, it said.
Justice Matthew Nicklin dismissed the man’s injunction bid, saying the legal measure would mean “an exceptionally serious interference” with the rights of the media companies.
However, he ruled that the man should remain anonymous to allow him to appeal the ruling.