There should be no hiding place for internet trolls, insists Peter Thompson QC
The Rule of Law is under threat from a number of quarters, including the use and abuse of the internet. Its erosive effect can be seen in two of the asides made by Mr Justice Francis in his impeccable judgment in Great Ormond Street Hospital v Yates and Gard [2017] EWHC 1909 (Fam), [2017] All ER (D) 148 (Jul). In an understated reference to worldwide petitions and interventions by heads of state, he observed: ‘A lot of things have been said, particularly in recent days, by those who know almost nothing about the case but who feel entitled to express opinions. Many have been based on feelings rather than facts.’ Later in his judgment he commented on the serious threats and abuse directed at the staff of the applicant hospital. They were, he said, disgraceful.
He did not mention contempt of court in either connection. But that is what was happening: people were deliberating trying to influence the outcome of the case. They were creating a substantial risk of serious
