Second paper gets royal story ban

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

A second newspaper has been served an injunction banning it from publishing a story about a former royal servant.

The Guardian was considering challenging the ban,after it was issued on Monday night.

It follows a similar injunction being issued against the Mail on Sunday, preventing it from naming the same former royal servant.

The Mail on Sunday has said it will fight the injunction, imposed by a High Court judge on Saturday night.

A Guardian spokeswoman said: "We confirm that an injunction was taken out against GNL (Guardian Newspapers Ltd) naming a former royal servant who also took out an injunction against the Mail on Sunday this weekend.

"We are considering challenging this injunction."

'Right to know'

The Mail on Sunday 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.

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.