By Karim Hammam
A famous man has lost his High Court bid for an injunction to prevent two media organisations from publishing allegations of sexual misconduct against him. The claimant, who remains anonymous, sought to block reporting by Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM) but Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the application on Thursday.
Allegations of Abuse of Power
During a two-day trial in late October, lawyers for ITN and GNM told the court the allegations involve the well-known man's alleged "abuse of power and status" to contact young women and attempt to engage in "inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities". The man denies the claims.
Suicide Risk Argument Rejected
The claimant argued publication would pose a fatal risk to his mental health, citing two previous suicide attempts. In a 52-page judgment, Mr Justice Nicklin ruled an injunction would not treat the underlying psychiatric condition or eliminate the elevated baseline risk, and that the evidence did not identify a point at which publication would become safe merely through the passage of time.
Appeal Permission Granted
The judge granted the claimant permission to take the case to the Court of Appeal, and he will remain anonymous while any appeal is lodged. His barrister, Sara Mansoori KC, described her client as "in a highly vulnerable position" and said he has "no intention of returning to public life".
Media Organisations' Public Interest Argument
Gavin Millar KC, representing ITN and GNM, argued the proposed publication would make a valuable contribution to a debate of public importance about men using their power to engage in misconduct against women. He said the obligation to keep the claimant safe falls on medical professionals, not the court.
