Sunday Mirror 'applauds' Ferdinand privacy ruling

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The editor of the Sunday Mirror says the paper applauds a ruling by the High Court today, which rejected a privacy action by footballer Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand took action against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) after a "kiss-and-tell" article relating to an alleged relationship was published in the Sunday paper in April last year.

T

he Manchester United player argued that the publisher had misused private information.

But in the High Court today Mr Justice Nicol dismissed his action, ruling that "the balancing exercise favours the defendant's right of freedom of expression over the claimant's right of privacy". A report on the ruling by the Press Association added that

Ferdinand had previously called the article a "gross invasion of my privacy".

In a statement Sunday Mirror editor Tina Weaver said "we applaud this ruling". "The judge found that there was a justified public interest in reporting the off-pitch behaviour of the then England captain and discussion of his suitability for such an important and ambassadorial role representing the country. "We are pleased the judge ruled that Mr Ferdinand had perpetuated a misleading public image and the Sunday Mirror was entitled to correct this impression. "There has never been greater scrutiny of the media than now, and we applaud this ruling in recognising the important role a free press has to play in a democratic society".

According to reports Ferdinand was ordered to pay costs of around £500,000.