Well-known individual seeks permanent block on Guardian and ITN allegations
A well-known individual is asking the High Court in London to permanently prevent the Guardian and ITN from publishing serious allegations about his conduct.
The request was considered at a hearing on Friday 16 October 2026 before Mr Justice Nicklin. A trial due later in October will examine whether an order preventing reporting of the allegations should be made, according to The Guardian.
The judge said two media organisations had carried out a journalistic investigation into allegations concerning the claimant's conduct towards a number of individuals. He described the proposed publications as concerning serious allegations about conduct over a period of years, said to have arisen in a variety of professional and personal contexts.
The claimant has issued a broad denial of the allegations the two organisations propose to publish. His legal team, led by Sara Mansoori KC, told the court there was a serious risk he could harm himself if the material were made public.
Court submissions described the claimant as a well-known individual with very serious mental health problems. They stated that he had attempted to take his own life on two occasions and remains seriously ill. His lawyers argued that publication would breach his rights under Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the human rights provisions they rely on in the case.
The Guardian and ITN are opposing the injunction. In written arguments, they said the relevant duties under the Convention were not triggered and should not prevent publication, and that steps could be taken to reduce risk to the claimant.
Mr Justice Nicklin said it was important for the proceedings to be as open as possible. He also said the case would be controversial however it is decided.
