Blogger goes public with gag order

The blogger placed online a copy of an injunction issued to a claimant referred to as ZAM, who obtained the order in order to stop the publication of serious allegations about his behaviour.

Mr Justice Tugendhat said in a judgment handed down on March 7 that he granted the order because he had no doubt that the allegations were extremely serious and were defamatory, and their continued publication would cause damage to the claimant which could not be compensated by damages.

There were also strong reasons to believe that the case was an attempt at blackmail, he said.

In addition, the people against whom the order was sought – the claimant’s wife’s sister and her husband – had made no claim to be able to justify their allegations.

But the blogger said he saw the order as “an affront to free speech”.

He went on: “This order is available outside the UK – and quite widely available.

“But if this really is a case of blackmail, then why haven’t the police been called in?

“I don’t agree with the idea that someone going into court should try to silence us in this way.”

It is thought to be the first time that someone who can be identified – the blogger’s name, address, phone number and two email address appear on his blog site – has published a full copy of an injunction online.

The disclosure is the latest stage in a growing internet backlash against secrecy orders issued by English courts.