High public profile man wins a High Court bid for anonymity

Fresh fears about the gagging of the media arise after a ‘high public profile’ man wins a High Court bid for anonymity ahead of a BBC broadcast

• The man won an interim injunction to prevent the BBC from identifying him 

Fresh fears about the gagging of the media have arisen after a man with a ‘high public profile’ won a High Court bid for anonymity ahead of a planned BBC broadcast.

The ‘internationally’ known individual won an interim injunction to prevent the broadcaster from identifying him in a news investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.

One media lawyer said the decision to injunct the BBC report at this stage was part of a ‘worrying trend’ and was expanding the scope of existing precedent.

The BBC investigation had spoken to ‘a number of women’ who had given ‘detailed accounts’ about the man’s behaviour including what was described in the judgment as the ‘commission of serious sexual offences’.

The high-profile figure – known as WFZ in the case – is bringing legal action against the BBC and earlier this month asked for an injunction preventing him from being identified until the full civil trial in his claim.

Fresh fears about the gagging of the media have arisen after a man with a ‘high public profile’ won a High Court bid for anonymity ahead of a planned BBC broadcast

The BBC investigation had spoken to ‘a number of women’ who had given ‘detailed accounts’ about the man’s behaviour including what was described in the judgment as the ‘commission of serious sexual offences’

The man’s bid for the injunction was challenged by the BBC.

He is seeking to permanently injunct the BBC’s investigation on the grounds that publishing specified details about the claims would be an invasion of his right to privacy, a contempt of court and would affect his rights to a fair criminal trial. The court in London was told the man is under active criminal investigation concerning allegations of serious criminal offences.

High Court judge, Mrs Justice Collins Rice, granted the injunction, finding that the proposed publication creates a ‘substantial risk’ that the ongoing criminal proceedings would be ‘seriously impeded or prejudiced by it’.

Alex Wilson, of law firm Reynolds, Porter, Chamberlain, said: ‘Injuncting at this stage, whether its on privacy or contempt grounds, is a really worrying trend.’ He added: ‘It is expanding the scope of the existing precedent.’

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We are carefully considering our options.’

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