On 16 December 2024, Chamberlain J heard an application brought by Yang Tengbo (formerly referred to as “H6”) to discharge an Order that had directed the Special Immigration Appeals Commission to maintain his anonymity.
The original Anonymity Order was made by the Chairman of the Commission on 15 May 2023. On 27 November 2024, the Commission ordered that the Anonymity Order be lifted upon the Commission’s handing down of its judgment in the underlying claim. The Applicant sought a judicial review of the Commission’s decision, contending that the Anonymity Order should be maintained pending an application for permission to appeal.
On 11 December 2024, Chamberlain J and Sharp J granted the Applicant interim relief, directing the Commission to maintain the Applicant’s anonymity pending a hearing of his application for judicial review or a final refusal of his application for permission to appeal. On 12 December 2024, the Commission handed down its judgment in the underlying claim, prompting widespread speculation in the press as to the identity of “H6”.
Following an urgent hearing yesterday afternoon, Chamberlain J ordered that the 11 December Order be discharged, thereby enabling the Anonymity Order to be lifted.
Adam Wolanski KC appeared on behalf of various media organisations.
This decision was widely covered by the press, including by the BBC and The Guardian.