Goodwin v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 1309 (QB) (23 May 2011)

Goodwin v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 1309 (QB) (23 May 2011)

The injunction was varied to permit identification of Sir Frederick Goodwin as the applicant, as this information had entered the public domain through parliamentary proceedings and was no longer justifiable to restrain. However, the prohibition on identifying the lady involved and details of the relationship remained, as no evidence or proper notice had been provided to justify lifting her anonymity, and there was no substantiated public interest to override her Article 8 rights.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 1309
Parties
Claimant: Sir Frederick Goodwin; Defendant: News Group Newspapers Ltd; Intervenor: MGN Ltd; Intervenor: Associated Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Privacy Injunction Application / Application to Vary/discharge Interim Injunction
Outcome
Injunction varied
Legal Topics
Interim Injunctions, Anonymity Orders, Freedom of Expression, Right to Privacy, Public Interest Defence, Parliamentary Privilege
Privacy Law Media Law Human Rights Interim Injunctions Anonymity Orders Freedom of Expression Right to Privacy Public Interest Defence +1 more

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Parties

Sir Frederick Goodwin

Claimant

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

MGN Ltd

Intervenor

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Intervenor

Procedural Posture

Privacy Injunction Application / Application to Vary/discharge Interim Injunction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the injunction prohibiting publication of information identifying the claimant and details of his relationship should be discharged or varied in light of parliamentary identification and public interest arguments
  2. 2 Whether the anonymity of the lady involved should be maintained

Ratio Decidendi

The injunction was varied to permit identification of Sir Frederick Goodwin as the applicant, as this information had entered the public domain through parliamentary proceedings and was no longer justifiable to restrain. However, the prohibition on identifying the lady involved and details of the relationship remained, as no evidence or proper notice had been provided to justify lifting her anonymity, and there was no substantiated public interest to override her Article 8 rights.

Court Disposition

Injunction varied

Orders

  • Prohibition on identifying Sir Frederick Goodwin as applicant lifted
  • Prohibition on identifying the lady involved and details of the relationship (other than her being a work colleague) maintained