Ryan Giggs has been named as the footballer at the centre of the super injunction row by MP John Hemming. Within minutes of Giggs’ “outing” the story had been splashed across newspaper websites with glee.
Hemming’s naming of Ryan Giggs came after newspapers including The Sun failed in their bid to lift a super injunction gagging them from naming the footballer who allegedly had an affair with Imogen Thomas.
However, after Giggs’ name was mentioned more than 75,000 on Twitter in relation to the super injunction, the press ban on mentioning his name has led many to call the system a farce.
Now MP John Hemming has used parliamentary privilege to name Ryan Giggs as the super injunction footballer.
“With about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs on Twitter it’s obviously impractical to imprison them all,” said Hemming.
The MP was immediately rounded on by the Commons Speaker who said it was “not the occasion” to raise the super injunction issue.
To which Hemming responded that he wished to clarify the law which “clearly does not have public consent”.
The identification came just hours after the High Court had refused to allow journalists to name Manchester United player Giggs, who is alleged to have had a sexual relationship with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas.
Earlier today, Justice Eady rejected an application by News Group Newspapers including The Sun to overturn the super injunction relating to Ryan Giggs, on the basis that to continue it would be “futile”, given the widespread knowledge of his name.
Eady said: “It has never been suggested, of course, that there is any legitimate public interest, in the traditional sense, in publishing this information.
“The court’s duty remains to try and protect the claimant, and particularly his family, from intrusion and harassment so long as it can.”
Giggs, who is referred to as CTB in court documents, is alleged to have had a “sexual relationship” with former Big Brother contestant Miss Thomas.
Despite thousands of Twitter users using his name and one Scottish newspaper even publishing his picture on its front page on Sunday, publications in England and Wales are prevented from naming Giggs by a super injunction.
Prime Minister David Cameron – who admitted he knew who the super injunction footballer was – said earlier: “It is rather unsustainable, this situation, where newspapers can’t print something that clearly everybody else is talking about.”
It’s not known whether Ryan Giggs will proceed with his reported suit against Twitter which was announced on Friday.
Twitter users have reacted with delight at the naming of Giggs.
John_murphy1 wrote: “Can we all say Ryan Giggs now?”
m_allison tweeted: ”Mr Speaker, With about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs on Twitter it is impractical to imprison them all”.
While gunrack84 yelled: “ITS RYAN FUCKING GIGGS.”
Manchester United star Giggs plays his fourth Champions League final on Saturday against Barcelona with a chance at his third medal.
Anyway, we’re just loving being able to say his name – Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs!