A spoils claim by Manchester United and Wales footballer Ryan Giggs against the Sun newspaper was thrown out by a High Court judge today. Giggs alleged that The Sun ''misused'' confidential information and argued that he was permitted to claim harms for concerns and violation of a right to retreat protected in human rights legislation.
But The Sun disagreed that Giggs's claim - made after the newspaper published an article about a relationship with reality television star Imogen Thomas - is ''dead in the water'' and should be blocked.
Mr. Justice Tugendhat listened to the disputes at a High Court hearing in London last month and released his verdict today.
Hugh Tomlinson QC, for Giggs, argued - at a hearing on February 21 - that The Sun exploited confidential information in the article, in which Giggs was not recognized.
Mr. Tomlinson said Giggs was declaring losses for the consequent re-publication of information in other newspapers and on the internet, and disagreed that his claim should go to check.
He advised that the Sun article "produced a large media tornado" and said the destructions claim was about "giving useful safety" for Giggs's right to privacy - preserved in the European Convention on Human Rights.
Richard Spearman QC, for The Sun's publisher News Group Newspapers, said the article reported Ms Thomas's association with a Premier League player and did not recognize Giggs.
He said The Sun performed "properly" and was not accountable for what occurred after the article come out.
Mr. Spearman said lawful battle had been "spun along for a long, long time" - an accusation Mr. Tomlinson explained as being "entirely without basis" - and told the court: "Going ahead, there just is not a foundation."
In a written verdict handed down in London today, Mr. Justice Tugendhat said he had determined to "reject to grant relief" to Giggs.
