The Guardian newspaper has named the hitherto anonymous celebrity who sought a permanent injunction concerning the publication of allegations of exploitative sexual behaviour against him. ‘PPT’, as the celebrity was named in court proceedings, has been identified as the comedian and author David Walliams.
Walliams denies allegations that the Guardian published at midday today. He had failed to secure an injunction against both the Guardian and ITN, after his lawyers argued that any publication would expose him to a continuing risk to life following previous suicide attempts.
At the end of October, the High Court ordered the claimant be anonymised in proceedings and reporting restrictions were also imposed prohibiting anyone from identifying PPT. In its order, the court said it was ‘strictly satisfied that non-disclosure of the identity of the claimant is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice’.
The High Court rejected the injunction application on 3 November. Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that the state has assumed responsibility for 'PPT's' immediate safety ‘through the psychiatric hospital and mental-health services’ adding: ‘The court has not assumed responsibility for the claimant’s psychiatric treatment or safety in the relevant sense. Nor does its adjudication of the dispute transform the defendants’ publication into an act of the state.
Publication comes after Walliams, 55, failed to appeal that decision in time.
More to follow
Sara Mansoori KC, Ian Helme and Mannat Malhi, instructed by Russells, appeared for PPT; Gavin Millar KC and Ben Silverstone, instructed by Wiggin LLP, for ITN and Guardian News and Media.
