24/05/2011

Injunctions Questioned As MP Names Footballer

The future of injunctions is hanging in the balance after a Lib Dem MP named the footballer in Parliament involved in an injunction to hide an alleged affair.

During a Commons question on privacy orders, John Hemming named Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs as the man at the centre of the gagging order.

Yesterday the Prime Minister described injunctions as "unsustainable" and unfair on the press. Speaking to ITV1's Daybreak, David Cameron said the law should be reviewed to "catch up with how people consume media today".

The comments come after the Sunday Herald became the UK's first newspaper to print the footballer accused on Twitter of taking out a privacy injunction.

Mr Hemming used parliamentary privilege to break the court order, saying it would not be practical to imprison the 75,000 Twitter users who had named the player.

Lawyers for the Sun will again approach the High Court today to ask for the injunction to be lifted.

(BMcN/GK)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 May 2011
PM Says Privacy Injunctions Are 'Unsustainable'
The Prime Minister has described the current situation surrounding privacy rulings as "unsustainable" and unfair on the press. Speaking to ITV1's Daybreak, David Cameron said the law should be reviewed to "catch up with how people consume media today".
02 March 2012
Ryan Giggs Damages Claim Thrown Out
Ryan Giggs has lost his damages claim against the Sun newspaper and Imogen Thomas at the High Court. Manchester United and Wales footballer received an injunction in April 2011 after an article in the paper reported about an unnamed player's alleged affair with the model and former Miss Wales.
11 November 2010
Rehabbed Gascoigne Misses Sentencing
Ex-World Cup star Paul Gascoigne, 43, has missed his court appearance to be sentenced for drink-driving. The former footballer failed to show because he is in rehab. Last month he admitted driving while being four times over the limit and was due before Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
03 September 2010
Cheryl And Ashley Cole Divorce Granted
Cheryl and Ashley Cole have been granted a divorce at London's High Court. The Girls Aloud singer and England and Chelsea footballer met in 2004, when they both lived in the same London apartment block, and got engaged in Dubai the following year. They married in a lavish ceremony in Hertfordshire in 2006.
26 February 2008
Cole Released On Bail After Wife Attack
Nottingham-born footballer Andy Cole has been questioned by police after an alleged assault on his wife. The 36-year-old, currently on loan at Burnley, was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning at his home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Chesire Police have confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of assault.