Paper 'to fight royal injunction'

The latest row follows weeks of publicity over Paul Burrell's book

The Mail on Sunday is planning to fight a court injunction banning it from running a story about the Royal Family.

The paper said the ban was granted by the High Court to a former royal servant on Saturday.

It said a letter from a senior Royal also warned it not to publish the story, written after interviews with a second former royal servant.

The paper said it would appeal at the High Court because the public had an "unquestionable right to know".

The paper said the interviews with the second former royal servant were supported by a sworn affidavit.

The injunction was granted after a three-hour hearing at the court.

A judge made an order preventing publication of any details of the story.

'Disturbing'

A spokesman for The Mail on Sunday said the paper was discussing several points with its lawyers before returning to the court.

"This case involves issues concerning the Royal Family about which the public have an unquestionable right to know.

"It is deeply disturbing that the courts are being used to suppress information and prevent proper public debate," said a spokesman.

It is believed to be the first injunction ever taken against a national newspaper by a former royal servant.

In the last few weeks there has been widespread media coverage of the Royal Family which was prompted by former royal butler Paul Burrell's book A Royal Duty.