The anonymous celebrity who has been fighting to prevent the publication of articles accusing him of sexual misconduct could be named after missing an appeal deadline.
The unnamed British man had until 4:30 p.m. Monday to file his appeal in London’s High Court, but will remain anonymous until the Guardian and ITN, the case’s defendants, publish his name, according to the Standard.
Attorneys for the media outlets previously told the court that they want to report on the man’s alleged abuse of “power and position as a celebrity to contact and forge relationships with young women and teenagers to try to have sex with them.”
The man has denied the allegations against him, including in May 2022 when the Guardian initially approached him.
Since then, the outlet and ITN have worked together on an ongoing investigation, interviewing more than 100 people and gathering an additional 30 sources, who have shown the outlets emails, messages and documents relating to the allegations.
In late October, the celebrity attempted to block the outlets from releasing articles, telling the court that it would violate his privacy rights, with his lawyer adding that it would be “highly likely” his client would attempt suicide.
The celebrity later threatened to take his life multiple times over concern about “trial by media” if his name was revealed.
“The claimant has attempted suicide twice as a result of these matters, been hospitalised for months, been the subject of involuntary detention and been examined by multiple — now more than 10 doctors,” the man’s attorney previously told the court, noting that he “has no intention of returning to public life.”
The man was previously admitted to the psychiatric hospital after the outlets sent him letters with nearly 300 points about alleged sexual misconduct in May, per court documents.
At the time, the outlets were seeking the man’s comment about the allegations against him. The man also attempted suicidein July after leaving the hospital for a short period of time.
An attorney for ITN and the Guardian argued that the women who have spoken out against the man “have been traumatised by the claimant’s alleged conduct and have suffered mental health crises and mental illness as a result.”
Judge Matthew Nicklin argued that the reporting was of public interest and an injunction would interfere with freedom of expression.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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