'Well-known' celebrity bids to block Guardian and ITN over sexual offence allegation as court hears he twice attempted suicide

A "well-known individual" is seeking a permanent injunction against Guardian News and Media and ITN to stop publication of serious allegations against him, among them a claim that he committed a sexual offence. His legal team told the High Court on Friday that he has made two suicide attempts in recent months and faces a serious risk of self-harm should the allegations become public. He denies all the allegations, which reportedly stretch across years and cover both professional and personal contexts. His identity is subject to a legal restriction.

Mr Justice Nicklin warned the case will be "controversial either way it is decided" and stressed he wanted proceedings kept as open as possible.

He was involuntarily detained during the summer, and his barrister Sara Mansoori KC told the court he "remains seriously ill" with very serious mental health problems.

A full trial on whether to grant the permanent injunction is scheduled for late October, with both ITN and the Guardian actively opposing the bid.