Gag on Guardian reporting MP's Trafigura question lifted

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

The question from Paul Farrelly MP which was subject to a gagging order related to the Trafigura toxic waste scandal

David Leigh
Tuesday October 13 2009

The existence of a previously secret injunction against the media by oil traders Trafigura can now be revealed.

Within the past hour Trafigura's legal firm, Carter-Ruck, has withdrawn its opposition to the Guardian reporting proceedings in parliament that revealed its existence.

Labour MP Paul Farrelly put down a question yesterday to the justice secretary, Jack Straw. It asked about the injunction obtained by "Trafigura and Carter-Ruck solicitors on 11 September 2009 on the publication of the Minton Report on the alleged dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast, commissioned by Trafigura".

The Guardian was due to appear at the High Court at 2pm to challenge Carter-Ruck's behaviour, but the firm has dropped its claim that to report parliament would be in contempt of court.

Here is the full text of Farrelly's question:

"To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation to protect (a) whistleblowers and (b) press freedom following the injunctions obtained in the High Court by (i) Barclays and Freshfields solicitors on 19 March 2009 on the publication of internal Barclays reports documenting alleged tax avoidance schemes and (ii) Trafigura and Carter-Ruck solicitors on 11 September 2009 on the publication of the Minton report on the alleged dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast, commissioned by Trafigura."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/oct/13/guardian-gagged-parliamentary-question

[T_i_B]

1. Quite possibly Twitter's finest hour

As the furore on Twitter about this made a total mockery of the court injunction.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. whereas now they have created all kinds of MORE interest in the story than ever

dumb and dumber