Missing appeal deadline could expose anonymous celebrity in sexual assault scandal to being named

Appeal deadline passes

The man had until 4:30 p.m. Monday to appeal in London’s High Court. According to the Standard, he missed that deadline. He will remain unidentified unless and until the Guardian and ITN publish his name. The two media organizations are defendants in the case.

Reporting and allegations

The celebrity has denied the allegations, including when the Guardian first contacted him in May 2022. The outlets have since pursued a joint investigation, interviewing more than 100 people and collecting material from 30 additional sources.

The sources provided emails, messages and documents related to the claims. Attorneys for the outlets told the court they wanted to report allegations that he used his status to approach young women and teenagers and pursue sexual relationships.

Privacy and public interest

In late October, the celebrity asked the court to prevent publication, arguing that it would breach his privacy. His lawyer said there was a high likelihood he would attempt suicide, and the man later made repeated threats to take his life over fears of “trial by media.” His attorney told the court he had attempted suicide twice, spent months in hospital and been detained involuntarily. The attorney also said he had no plan to return to public life.

Court weighs competing concerns

Court documents say the man was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the outlets sent him letters in May containing nearly 300 points about alleged sexual misconduct. He attempted suicide in July after leaving the hospital briefly.

An attorney for ITN and the Guardian said women who had spoken about the alleged conduct experienced trauma and mental health crises. Judge Matthew Nicklin found the reporting was in the public interest and that an injunction would interfere with freedom of expression.