Story perspectives

UK Judge Sets Late-October Trial on Guardian, ITN Injunction

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 11:16 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

A UK individual filed an injunction against ITN and The Guardian to block allegations.
His lawyers claim publishing the claims could cause self-harm, citing two recent suicide attempts and severe mental illness.
ITN and The Guardian oppose the injunction, saying European Court of Human Rights duties do not bar publication.
Mr Justice Nicklin set a trial for late October, saying the case will be controversial whichever way decided.

History

Historical Context

In 1987 the British government, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, secured a High Court injunction that seized about 2,000 copies of former MI5 officer Peter Wright’s memoir “Spycatcher” and barred The Guardian and The Observer from publishing it. The ruling showed courts could limit reporting on national-security claims, a precedent the Attorney General now cites in seeking an injunction against ITN and The Guardian.

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Story summary

A UK individual filed an injunction against ITN and The Guardian to block allegations.
His lawyers claim publishing the claims could cause self-harm, citing two recent suicide attempts and severe mental illness.
ITN and The Guardian oppose the injunction, saying European Court of Human Rights duties do not bar publication.
Mr Justice Nicklin set a trial for late October, saying the case will be controversial whichever way decided.

1 / 2