By Fatma Younis
An unidentified celebrity lost a bid for a UK court injunction to block two news organizations from publishing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Lawyers for Independent Television News and the Guardian newspaper's publisher told the High Court last month that the allegations involved the man's "abuse of power and status" and sexual misconduct with a number of young women. The celebrity denies wrongdoing.
His lawyer, Sara Mansoori, said the man had attempted suicide twice after receiving letters from the media outlets and had been examined by more than 10 doctors regarding his mental health. She warned he intended to take his own life if the allegations were published.
Justice Matthew Nicklin dismissed the injunction request, saying it would constitute "an exceptionally serious interference" with the media companies' rights. However, he ruled that the man should remain anonymous to allow him to appeal the decision.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Britain over questions about public figures' right to privacy and the public interest in publishing such allegations. Gavin Millar, representing the media companies, said the allegations resulted from a "wide-ranging and rigorous investigation" and there was a "strong" public interest in publishing them.
