Celebrity fails to appeal injunction bid over sex claims

A well-known individual has failed to lodge an appeal by the court deadline after his bid for an injunction preventing the publication of allegations against him was dismissed. The man, who denies the claims, sought to prevent media organisations ITN and Guardian News and Media from reporting on the allegations.

In a ruling on November 3, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the application for an injunction. The judge stated that granting such an order would represent an "exceptionally serious interference" with freedom of expression. The deadline for lodging an appeal or requesting further time with the Court of Appeal was 4.30pm on Monday. Court staff confirmed after this time that neither document had been received.

Lawyers representing the media organisations informed the High Court that the allegations they wish to report involve the man's alleged "abuse of power and status" to contact young women and attempt to engage in "inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities". The individual cannot be publicly named in connection with these allegations unless ITN or GNM identify him.

The individual had sought the injunction due to a stated risk of suicide, citing two previous suicide attempts. Mr Justice Nicklin acknowledged that the man had repeatedly expressed intentions to take his own life if the allegations were published, stating this must be taken seriously. However, the judge added that these statements did not "establish that suicide is inevitable".

In his 52-page judgment, Mr Justice Nicklin noted that the injunction would not address the man's psychiatric condition or eliminate his elevated risk. The judge also commented that the evidence did not indicate a point where publication would become safe simply with the passage of time, suggesting the relief sought would be of uncertain and potentially indefinite duration. The judgment also highlighted that the individual is detained under the Mental Health Act, meaning state responsibility for his immediate safety and the protection provided by hospitals and health staff materially reduces the likelihood of suicide.