Former Shrewsbury MP defiant over Giggs naming

A former Shropshire MP was today revealed as being among those who defied a court gagging order in naming footballer Ryan Giggs, but said he did not fear being prosecuted by the star's lawyers.

Paul Marsden, who served as Shrewsbury and Atcham MP between 1997 and 2005, revealed that the Manchester United winger was the celebrity who had an alleged affair with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas in breach of a super-injunction.

He released the information on his online blog on May 21 - before MP John Hemming used parliamentary privilege to reveal Giggs's identity in the Commons.

It came after 75,000 Twitter users had also named Giggs, including celebrities Piers Morgan, Dom Joly, Toby Young and DJ Boy George, who may all now face legal action.

But Mr Marsden said he believed any attempt by the 37-year-old footballer's lawyers to bring action against him would be "absurd". He said: "If his solicitors wish to try and make something of this then I would be very happy to sit down in court and argue that this was in the public interest.

"It would be absurd if his solicitors attempted to push this through. I was fully aware that by publishing it I could face consequences but we shall wait and see."

Mr Marsden said super-injunctions should not be used by the rich and famous to cover-up affairs.