Man in High Court fight with Google in historic ‘right to be forgotten’ case

A businessman who wants Google to stop linking his name to internet media reports about a past crime has denied painting a “false” picture of his career.

The man was convicted of “conspiracy to account falsely” in the late 1990s and his case was reported in the media, a judge has been told.

He says the conviction is legally “spent” and argues that he has a “right to be forgotten”.

Google bosses dispute his claims. They say the information is “materially accurate” and there are “strong public interest” reasons for “maintaining access” to the publications.

Mr Justice Warby began analysing evidence at a High Court trial in London.

Barrister Antony White QC, who is leading Google’s legal team, on Wednesday suggested that the man had painted a “false and dishonest” picture of his business career in internet blogs.

But the man told the judge: “I don’t accept that.”

The hearing is due to end next week.

Lawyers say the case is the first “right to be forgotten” claim tried in England.

Mr Justice Warby has barred journalists from identifying the man in reports of the case.