The Times kills off blogger anonymity

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    Date: 
    16 June 2009

    The Times has overturned a court order which sought to protect the anonymity of a police blogger known as NightJack.

    The blog, which has now been deleted, detailed the life and views of a serving police detective. Earlier this year it won an Orwell prize for political writing.

    The blogger is Richard Horton a 45-year old detective constable with Lancashire Constabulary. When contacted by Murdoch's organ he sought an injunction to protect his privacy. But Justice Eady ruled he had no right to anonymity.

    The judge said Horton could not expect to remain anonymous because “blogging is essentially a public rather than a private activity”.