Justice needs to be seen to be done – except, quite reasonably, in blackmail cases. I cannot believe that Geeklawyer would ever dream of breaching a court order, nor has he with his invitation to guess the identity of the minor royal in the blackmail case. However, if one types “Royal Blackmail blogs” into Google to see what ‘foreign’ blogs are saying – Geeklawyer’s blog comes up as ‘numero uno’. (or did about five minutes ago)
Speculation on the part of UK Blawgers is, of course, only that.
At least a minor royal, albeit unwittingly, has assisted the cause of UK Blawging. Newspaper reports suggest that he/she may well waive anonymity.
Unfortunately, the Queen’s writ on these matters does not, apparently, even extend to Scotland in terms of the gagging order imposed by the court and it seems that some foreign news services and websites have identified the minor royal.
Frankly… not even remotely interested in who the minor Royal is. After a senior Royal, some years ago, expressed an interest in being a Tampax in a private conversation that went into the public domain, I gave up worrying about what the Royals got up to. At least Harry is setting an example to young binge drinkers when he manages to get a bit of time off from his day job as a Cavalry officer… and why not?
***
Gary Slapper thinks the law is being made an ass of with the court order restricting publication. The principle behind the court order is correct, of course – but this case involves a minor Royal and, given the appetite for gossip and salacious information, it is impossible to prevent foreign websites, news, media, television or even foreign bloggers revealing all… as even the most cursory search of foreign news sources will reveal.
I am sure that Henry VIII would have dealt with the matter in a diffferent way, or, for that matter, as Victorian Maiden describes him, so would His Most Excellently Wealthy, The King of Saudi Arabia. Enjoyed VM’s post about human rights in Saudi Arabia… The Press had excellent coverage of the Saudi state visit today.
Right… I’m awf…. to see a man about a bung.. sorry… lung… before I lose my head on this one.
**
The British (English) Press is getting excited... it must be very frustrating for them to be the only media people in the world not to be able to publish… a casual search of Google revealed 936 articles on the matter when I last looked…
I haven’t checked China out – because my blog doesn’t work in China now…
My blog was blocked by The Great Firewall of China some months ago – click here
Apparently, the minor Royal involved (The Queen is standing by said Royal) is on the verge of going public.
[…] CharonQC informs Geeklawyer that he is number one on Google for “royal blackmail blogs” As of the post […]
I also have a number one spot on Google naming the minor Royal chappie. Given that it is all over the US, Italy and Germany, and several blogs, it makes a mockery of British reporting restrictions.
It may well make a mockery of the restriction – but it is a blackmail case and the reporting restriction makes perfect sense.
If we do not protect the victim’s of blackmail cases – then the blackmailer wins?
In a case like this people are more inclined to want to know not only who it is but also all the details. I think the Royals like politicians seem to be fair game.
No, I think the blackmailer loses as soon as the police get involved. The blackmailers will cause the victim some embarrassment, but I doubt if found guilty they will be lucky enough to get a community sentence.