Winslet husband 'not public figure'

Actress Kate Winslet's husband is not a public figure in his own right, a High Court judge has said.

Ned RocknRoll had "briefly become something of a public figure" as a result of his relationship with Miss Winslet, said Mr Justice Briggs. But the judge said that was not enough to place Mr RocknRoll - a nephew of tycoon Sir Richard Branson - into the "public sphere".

Mr Justice Briggs's analysis emerged as he revealed his reasons for preventing a tabloid newspaper printing "innocent but embarrassing" photographs taken of Mr RocknRoll at a private fancy dress party with an "outrageous" theme more than two years ago.

The Sun had argued that publication of the "semi-naked photos" would be justified because Mr RocknRoll - who changed his name from Edward Abel Smith - was a public figure. Miss Winslet and Mr RocknRoll - who are both in their 30s - married in New York in December.

Mr Justice Briggs ruled against newspaper bosses following a two-day hearing at the High Court in London earlier this month. He revealed his reasons for the decision in a written judgment.

"Mr RocknRoll has, inevitably, briefly become something of a public figure as a result of his relationship with, and now marriage to, Miss Winslet," said Mr Justice Briggs "To some unavoidable degree this has led to published photographs of them together, but not so as to place Mr RocknRoll in the public sphere in his own right."

After Mr Justice Briggs ruled against Sun publisher News Group Newspapers on January 8, Miss Winslet said she aimed to maintain privacy and refused to accept that her family could not lead a "relatively normal life".

"We have stopped The Sun from publishing semi-naked photos of Ned taken by a friend at a private 21st birthday party a few years ago," said Miss Winslet and Mr RocknRoll in a joint written statement. "The photos are innocent but embarrassing and there is no reason to splash them across a newspaper."

Mr Justice Briggs was told at the hearing earlier this month that the dispute over publication rights could be fully aired at a High Court trial. And he banned publication pending any trial.

But lawyers for both sides told the judge that there would be not be a trial. They said Mr RocknRoll and the Sun had now agreed a settlement of the litigation. The terms of that settlement were not disclosed.