Justice Charles Gray yesterday ruled that David and Victoria Beckham, one of the most high-profile couples in the country, were entitled to hear what former nanny Abbie Gibson had said about them in tapes made by the News of the World.

The paper intend to use her allegations to defend a libel action brought by the couple that will start on December 5, based on the headline "Posh & Becks on Rocks" from over a year ago. After the publication of this article, the Beckhams gagged the nanny from saying more.

The couple have no idea what else might be on the tapes, but believe her to have acted in breach of her contract, saying that this has caused them great damage. The newspaper's lawyer claims the couple are indeed "trying...to convince the public that they continue to enjoy a happy marriage."

The ruling in favour of the Beckhams also prevented the News of the World from forcing the couple to give them mobile phone records and other documents, which they believe relate to the alleged affair Beckham is said to have had with Rebecca Loos, a former PA.