Richard Madeley: 'Using injunctions is wrong'

Richard Madeley has criticised the use of injunctions by celebrities, saying that it is "damaging" for freedom of speech.

Speaking alongside wife Judy Finnigan to The Mirror, the former host of This Morning said that public figures have to be held accountable for what they do.

"If I had an affair, people should have the right to know," he told the paper. "It is wrong to use an injunction because it's potentially damaging for freedom of speech.

"We have a right to know the name of the Premiership footballer and the actor who have behaved badly. It may be inconvenient for them for it to be reported, but because they can afford an injunction it doesn't mean they deserve special protection."

Madeley also recalled an incident where he was accused of stealing wine from a supermarket 21 years ago and said that he would never have considered using a court order to keep the details out of the press.

He explained: "I was falsely accused and acquitted. But if I had done it I could have said to the judge, 'This is embarrassing, it could affect my career and I need you to protect my name'. But that would have been morally wrong."

The broadcaster also praised Andrew Marr for revealing that he had used an injunction, saying that he "commended" the former BBC political editor for his actions in effectively invalidating the gagging order.

Former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas made a second appearance on This Morning yesterday, discussing her efforts to get an injunction taken out by her former lover overturned.