By Marcus Leach
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has hinted that a new privacy law will be introduced following a warning that the general public are not entitled to know the details of footballers sex lives.
Whilst admitting he was uneasy about the use of super-injuctions, which prevent even the knowledge of a gagging order having been obtained, Mr Clarke did say they were certain areas of privacy where Britons should expect to be protected.
Over recent months there has been growing controversy amongst the public and media over the use of injunctions to protect the private lives of celebrities and leading business figures.
Mr Clarke told fellow MPs that there was an increase in concern over the use of injunctions recently.
“I personally have strong views on the secrecy of justice — we have a tradition of open justice in this country,” he said.
“Plainly, I believe in the freedom of the press and freedom of speech in this country, even when sometimes it is exercised provocatively.
“I also think there are areas of privacy where an individual is entitled to have it protected.
"There have been cases where we certainly need to know where people are disposing of waste material that they are dumping off the coast of Africa, and on the other, every time I watch a football team I don’t think I necessarily need to know about the sex lives of each of the players.
“It is probably right to say that Parliament passing a privacy act might well be the best way of resolving it. But we need to get somewhat nearer to a consensus, and one needs to know exactly how we are going to strike this balance.”
