In 2019 widespread reports claimed that a tabloid newspaper was involved in blackmailing former Wales Rugby star Gareth Thomas forcing him to reveal his HIV status.

The Sun was widely believed to be the title involved in what was seen by many as the worst example of tabloid excess since the widespread phone-hacking that went on in the 2000s. Now Press Gazette can reveal The Sun’s version of events for the first time as we spoke to Thomas about his campaigning work to raise awareness about HIV.

Press Gazette put it to Gareth Thomas that insiders at The Sun would disagree they they were involved in blackmail. They argue they were reporting at the time on an ongoing police investigation, and wished to seek a comment on the allegations made against him.