Sky News escapes contempt charge over hostages report

The attorney general Dominic Grieve QC has dropped contempt of court proceedings against Sky News over its coverage of kidnapped British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler.

Sky News was accused of having breached an injunction on the day of the release of the Chandlers, the Kent couple who were held captive by Somali pirates for 13 months.

The media was blocked from publishing details of the couple's welfare prior to them being freed on November 14, 2010 over fears that their lives could be put in danger by the coverage.

Sky claimed that it had "scrupulously observed the terms of the injunction", but also admitted that it "followed the spirit, if not the letter" of the order.

Grieve has now decided to drop the contempt proceedings against Sky News "in the light of additional relevant information", reports PA.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office said: "The attorney general brought proceedings in his role as guardian of the public interest.

"The attorney general has reconsidered the public interest test in the light of additional relevant information and has concluded that proceedings are no longer required."

Massive media interest around the Chandler's capture resulted in the court injunction in July 2010, which prevented disclosure of any information about their health and welfare until they were safely rescued.

Sky News had broadcast details of their release at 5.15am on November 14, when they had been taken to the town of Adado in Somalia, which was not deemed a "place of safety" by the attorney general.

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