New trouble for Twitter users as injunction row intensifies

Another professional footballer has become involved in a legal battle between Schillings, a London law firm, and the social media site Twitter.

It is believed a journalist who named a player, protected by an injunction, may now face a charge of contempt of court.

Channel 4 News has contacted a writer reported to be linked to the case – who said they were unaware of any legal action at this stage.

Speculation over the identity of another professional footballer – who is taking legal action against Twitter – has snowballed in the last 48 hours.

The married star, who is referred to as “CTB” in court documents, is said to have had a “sexual relationship” with former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas. The legal bid led to a player being named up to 16 times a minute on Twitter on Saturday.

“CTB” obtained an order preventing The Sun newspaper from revealing his name last month and has now launched proceedings against Twitter and “persons unknown” after users claimed to have identified a number of individuals said to have taken out gagging orders.

Lawyers at Schillings have said: “An application has been made to obtain limited information concerning the unlawful use of Twitter by a small number of individuals who may have breached a court order.”

Media lawyer Anna Doble, from Wiggin & Co, told Channel 4 News: “There has to be a realisation that everyone can and will comment on issues of public interest, and the legal system has to modernise to deal with it.”

A list of celebrities said to have taken out injunctions, posted on Twitter, has reportedly been seen by an estimated two million people already.

And a Scottish newspaper has named the footballer at the centre of the escalating privacy storm. Privacy injunctions granted in London apply only to England and Wales.

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