British celebrity may be named after missing appeal deadline in sexual misconduct case

A well-known British celebrity who sought to block publication of sexual misconduct allegations may now be named after missing an appeal deadline. The man asked London's High Court to permanently prevent ITN and The Guardian from publishing his identity and the claims against him, but Mr Justice Nicklin refused the injunction last week.

The celebrity was given until 4:30 p.m. on November 9 to lodge an appeal, but the Court of Appeal said it received nothing from him before the deadline. As a result, reporting restrictions may be lifted and the two news organisations would be free to report the allegations.

“They wish to publish allegations of wrongdoing which he denies and which the evidence is clear will highly likely lead to his death or psychological injury.”

The outlets say they interviewed more than 100 people with knowledge of the alleged misconduct, including 30 with first-hand accounts. Their lawyers said the reporting involves alleged abuse of power and status to contact young women and engage in inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities.

The man denies the allegations, which were first raised when The Guardian approached him in May 2022. His lawyer, Sara Mansoori KC, said he is in a highly vulnerable position and has no intention of returning to public life.

Mansoori previously warned that publication could have a potentially fatal impact and that her client has attempted suicide twice as a result of these matters. She said the outlets wish to publish allegations he denies and that the evidence suggests they could highly likely lead to his death or psychological injury.

The celebrity will remain anonymous until The Guardian and ITN publish his name. The outlets have worked together on an ongoing investigation, gathering emails, messages and documents from more than 30 additional sources.