Celebrity injunction: Individual at centre of gagging order 'could sue newspaper for damages'
A hearing is underway to determine whether the order should be lifted
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The media has won the right to report on a hearing underway today over whether a privacy injunction preventing a newspaper from publishing the identity of a celebrity couple should be overturned.
Lord Justice Jackson heard arguments from lawyers representing The Guardian and other media organisations on Friday, who claimed the issues in the case should be reportable in the interest of open justice.
Judges will now make a decision on whether to uphold the order in open court.
In January, the Court of Appeal granted an injunction preventing the media from printing details about a “three-way sexual encounter” involving a high-profile individual.
On Friday, lawyers for News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun On Sunday, asked three Court of Appeal judges to lift the injunction banning the newspaper from printing the names of the couple and details of the individual’s “extramarital activities“.
Gavin Millar QC, representing News Group Newspapers, said the “well known” man, referred to as "PJS”, had been named by publications in the US and Scotland, and added: “A number of people in this jurisdiction know the information.” He said the order should be lifted.
Judges were told that PJS could pursue a damages claim against The Sun on Sunday and a trial could be staged, regardless of whether the privacy order was overturned.
But Desmond Browne QC, leading PJS's legal team, said anonymity would be the only proper “relief” for his client.
Additional reporting by the Press Association
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.