Muzzling justice

A famous public figure has hired costly lawyers to try to stop two media organisations from reporting allegations of his "inappropriate and exploitative" conduct with many young women and girls.

The claim is not unprecedented, but his legal team has adopted an alarming and novel tactic that could chill free speech.

They argue that publishing the accusations, which he denies, would cause him such severe mental distress that he might take his own life.

Mental health is a serious matter and editors must make responsible decisions before publishing.

However, it is not for courts to impose a blanket prohibition on investigative reporting when alleged wrongdoers say it could trigger a mental-health episode.

Such issues belong to doctors and the NHS, not as a tool for legal censorship.

If a gag order is granted, any wealthy, corrupt or powerful individual could potentially buy silence by presenting a doctor's note to the court.

The suppression would affect not only the media but also the women involved, who have a right to tell their story and might suffer anxiety if silenced.

Ensuring their accounts are heard is essential so other women are protected and the full extent of the star's behaviour is disclosed, encouraging further victims to come forward.

The probe into the well-known figure, identified in court as PPT, involved more than 100 people, including 30 who gave first-hand accounts.

They, too, have a right to be heard... and the public has a right to know.

Dole-r coaster

ANDY Burnham is keen to remind us that he has a ten-year plan to "rewire" Britain and raise living standards.

Yet one could think he lacks a strategy for the next ten days.

If the much-ado-about-nothing Budget was not enough proof, the Prime Minister's lack of forward thinking was exposed amid fresh shambles yesterday.

Chancellor John Healey announced on air that the growing welfare bill was "unsustainable" and promised cuts before the next election.

Within minutes, Treasury aides "clarified" that it was not a firm commitment.

Then No10 intervened, insisting there would be "no arbitrary timetable".

By teatime, the Government appeared in disarray, with Healey himself backtracking.

Has this Government got a clear and coherent plan for anything? Or are they making it up as they go along