Celebrity injunction: Judges to rule on whether privacy order should be overturned
A tabloid newspaper has appealed a ban preventing them from publishing details of a high-profile man's alleged 'extra-marital activities'
Judges at London's Court of Appeal will today announce their decision over a newspaper’s appeal to overturn a privacy injunction banning them from reporting on a celebrity’s alleged “extra-marital activities”.
The man, identified in court papers as PJS, took legal action to stop the Sun on Sunday from identifying him and his spouse, identified as YMA, earlier this year.
The Court of Appeal granted the order after balancing PJS's human right to respect for family life and the newspaper's right to free expression. In their ruling, they said identifying the couple and publishing the story would be “devastating” for him and would “generate a media storm”, which would, in turn, make their young children the subject of increased media attention.
The newspaper appealed the decision on Friday, asking judges to withdraw the injunction because the man - who is described as being in the entertainment business and in a relationship with someone who is also a well-known individual in the same business - has been named by publications in the US, Scotland and other countries. The injunction only applies in England and Wales.
PJS is asking for the injunction, the first to reach the Court of Appeal for five years, to stay in place. Lord Justice Jackson, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Simon are listed to rule on the newspaper's application today after analysing the evidence presented at the hearing on Friday.
Additional reporting by Press Association