A leading campaigner for the Alternative Vote is the latest public figure to secure a gagging order from the courts preventing the disclosure of details of his sex life.
Labour launching their 'No to AV' campaign on College Green Westminster Photo: EDDIE MULHOLLAND
The man persuaded a High Court judge to prevent his identity, profession or the allegations against him being revealed.
An order issued by Mrs Justice Sharp warns that anyone found in breach of the ruling may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized.
The individual has recently taken a high profile stand in the increasingly acrimonious campaign backing the Alternative Vote in the run up to the referendum on electoral reform on May 5.
The gagging order, which makes no reference to his political role, says that protecting his "rights and interests" outweighs "any public interest in reporting the proceedings".
The man, referred to only as "CBL", is the latest public figure to use the courts to prevent the reporting of damaging allegations against the rich and famous.
Last week the Prime Minister said he was "uneasy" about the way the courts were using so-called "super-injuctions" which in some cases even prevent the reporting of the existence of the court order itself.
David Cameron said it should be left up to Parliament not judges to decide on the balance between press freedom, the public's right to know and the rights of individuals to protect their privacy.
The latest case follows a string of other similar court actions by more than a dozen actors, footballers and television personalities - many of them married - who have obtained draconian court orders preventing revelations about extramarital affairs or other indiscretions.
The courts have been applying gagging orders using secrecy laws originally reserved for child murder cases.
Last Tuesday the Appeal Court ruled that there should be a news blackout on another well-known entertainment industry figure who had an affair with a colleague.
The judge in the case said the order was necessary to protect the star's children from playground bullying.
Also last week another actor gagged discussion of his relationship with a prostitute and a Premier League footballer, who had an affair with Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas, also won the right to anonymity.
The actions were brought under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, brought it by the Labour Government, which grants the right to privacy.
The Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, is currently carrying out a review of the rights and wrongs of the use of super-injuctions. The report, due next month, could lead to a change in the law.
The gagging orders caused a farce on Friday night on Have I Got News For You, the BBC’s prime time television quiz show.
Tory MP Louise Bagshawe was censored after dropped a hint at the identity of a married Premier League footballer who allegedly had an affair with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas during a round about superinjunctions.
Miss Bagshawe said: “You’re not allowed to know who they are. They may or may not have done something with ladies who are not their wives. One of them definitely doesn’t rhyme with … even though he is a footballer.”
David Cameron said it should be left up to Parliament not judges to decide on the balance between press freedom, the public's right to know and the rights of individuals to protect their privacy.
The latest case follows a string of other similar court actions by more than a dozen actors, footballers and television personalities - many of them married - who have obtained draconian court orders preventing revelations about extramarital affairs or other indiscretions.
The courts have been applying gagging orders using secrecy laws originally reserved for child murder cases.
Last Tuesday the Appeal Court ruled that there should be a news blackout on another well-known entertainment industry figure who had an affair with a colleague.
The judge in the case said the order was necessary to protect the star's children from playground bullying.
Also last week another actor gagged discussion of his relationship with a prostitute and a Premier League footballer, who had an affair with Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas, also won the right to anonymity.
The actions were brought under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, brought it by the Labour Government, which grants the right to privacy.
The Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, is currently carrying out a review of the rights and wrongs of the use of super-injuctions. The report, due next month, could lead to a change in the law.
The gagging orders caused a farce on Friday night on Have I Got News For You, the BBC’s prime time television quiz show.
Tory MP Louise Bagshawe was censored after dropped a hint at the identity of a married Premier League footballer who allegedly had an affair with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas during a round about superinjunctions.
Miss Bagshawe said: “You’re not allowed to know who they are. They may or may not have done something with ladies who are not their wives. One of them definitely doesn’t rhyme with … even though he is a footballer.”
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