CTB v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2011]

Summary

It was not appropriate to vary an injunction restraining a newspaper from identifying a footballer who had allegedly had an affair, even though his identity had been revealed on the internet.

The applicant newspaper (N) applied to vary the terms of an injunction restraining it from revealing the identity of the respondent footballer (B).

B was a married man with a family. N had published an article identifying a woman who had allegedly had an affair with B. B was granted an injunction restraining N from publishing his identity.

N submitted that it was pointless to maintain B's anonymity as there was widespread coverage on the internet.

Held: Application refused.

Wide publication in national newspapers was likely…