Can Abuse Allegations Against a Celebrity Be Silenced Over Mental Health Claims? A Defamation Lawyer Explains the Unusual Case Gripping the U.K.

Nov 2, 2026 7:09am PT Can Abuse Allegations Against a Celebrity Be Silenced Over Mental Health Claims? A Defamation Lawyer Explains the Unusual Case Gripping the U.K.

By Alex Ritman

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Alex Ritman

@alexritman

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As has been widely reported on both side of the Atlantic, a “well-known individual” in the U.K. is currently waiting to hear whether his legal effort to block two media outlets from publishing allegations of “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activity with girls and young women” has been successful.

Lawyers for the individual — who denies the allegations — are seeking what’s called a permanent injunction against The Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing what they told the London high court last week was a “wide-ranging and rigorous investigation,” conducted over four years and involving more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts.

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