21 NOVEMBER 2003
In an unprecedented move, Queen Elizabeth has won an injunction to stop the publication of further revelations by a newspaper journalist who worked undercover as a footman at Buckingham Palace.

Lawyers for the British monarch cited “obvious and unjustified intrusions” into the private life of the royal family in bringing the case against the Mirror newspaper and reporter Ryan Parry.

Following a hearing, Mr Justice Lewison has temporarily banned the publication of further information.

It is the first time the Queen has sought and won a gagging order against a national newspaper. According to the judge the monarch is likely to win a permanent restriction and could also have a “real prospect” of suing the journalist in question, on the grounds that he breached the confidentiality clauses in his employment contract.

Initially the newspaper published photographs and details of the daily lives of royals at Buckingham Palace. But when it went on to divulge similar images and details about Windsor – which the Queen apparently considers her real home – Her Majesty decided to act.

“The stuff inside Windsor Castle was the last straw,” commented one senior courtier, adding: “It’s not gone down at all well.”