Judge lifts media ban over former bank chief

AN ORDER granting anonymity to former bank boss Sir Fred Goodwin – who won an injunction preventing publication of details of a “sexual relationship” – was lifted at the High Court yesterday.

Sir Fred, the former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland, did not oppose the move for his identity to be revealed, which came after the injunction was referred to in the House of Lords.

Mr Justice Tugendhat, sitting in London, varied the injunction to allow publication of Sir Fred’s name, but not details of the alleged relationship and the name of the woman said to be involved.

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The change was brought about following an approach to the court by News Group Newspapers, seeking to discharge an order made in March.

But Mr Justice Tugendhat said that before the application was made, Hugh Tomlinson QC, for Mr Goodwin, “informed the court that he did not wish to persuade the court to continue the anonymity” he had been granted.

The judge confirmed that a new order would be drawn up permitting the identification of Mr Goodwin as the claimant, although it would contain a number of prohibitions which would continue.

He added: “The main point is that this is an injunction relating to a sexual relationship.

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“The existing order of Mrs Justice Sharp prohibits the naming of the other person to the relationship and prohibits the publication of any details. That remains in force.”

The Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, who used parliamentary privilege in March to disclose the existence of Sir Fred’s super-injunction, said: “The decision to lift the anonymity of Fred Goodwin today is a small victory for free speech.

“It is, however, a victory. I think the judiciary recognise which way the wind is blowing. However, what they really need to do is to change tack.”

Mr Justice Tugendhat stressed: “For the avoidance of doubt no super-injunction was ever granted in this case. Nor was it ever asked for.”