Goodwin super-injunction on 'banker' tag

The former Royal Bank of Scotland chief Sir Fred Goodwin has obtained a super-injunction banning the media describing him as a banker, the Commons has heard.

During questions on parliamentary business, Lib Dem John Hemming revealed the measure, his comments protected by parliamentary privilege.

The Liberal Democrat MP said: "In a secret hearing, Fred Goodwin has obtained a super-injunction preventing him from being identified as a banker.

"Will the government hold a debate, or make a statement, on freedom of speech, and whether there is one law for the rich, such as Fred Goodwin, and another for the poor?"

Commons leader Sir George Young said an upcoming Westminster Hall debate would consider freedom of speech.

He told MPs: "I will raise with the appropriate minister the matter that he has just raised, but it seems to impinge on the responsibility of the courts and any minister would be cautious about commenting on that."

Sir Fred, nicknamed Fred "The Shred" for his ruthless management style, left RBS in 2008 after the bank had to be bailed out by the government in the wake of the financial crisis.

He attracted widespread media attention when it was revealed he departed the company with a pension worth nearly £700,000, later reduced by £200,000.

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