Judge explains Stig decision

05.10.10 - Graeme Neill - The Bookseller

A judge has explained his decision for allowing HarperCollins to publish a memoir by "Top Gear"'s The Stig, saying his identity was in the public domain.

The BBC reports Mr Justice Morgan backed the publisher to release The Man in the White Suit by Ben Collins despite attempts by the BBC to halt its publication. The broadcaster had claimed the publication would break confidentiality obligations.

However, in a public ruling, Mr Justice Morgan said: "In the present case, the identity of Mr Collins as The Stig is in the public domain. If that has caused and/or will cause harm to the BBC, I do not see how any further harm will be caused to the BBC if Mr Collins is not allowed to publish his autobiography in time for the 2010 Christmas market."

Since it went on sale on 16th September, the book has sold 15,269 copies, according to figures from Nielsen BookScan.