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August 13, 2014updated 14 Aug 2014 12:15pm

Boxing promoter Frank Maloney used injunction threat to stop newspaper revealing sex change

By Press Gazette

Former boxing promoter Frank Maloney, who is now living as a woman, has revealed how she had to threaten injunctions to stop a newspaper revealing her sex change.

The 61-year-old, now known as Kellie, revealed on ITV's Good Morning Britain that a journalist threatened to go public with her story in February.

She also revealed that journalists from another newspaper doorstepped several members of her family six weeks ago.

“I wanted to transition very privately because of my family. They're going through a lot as well and I wanted them protected.

"Unfortunately, someone exposed me at a group I was going to. I was indoors and one day you get that dreaded knock on the door. It was a journalist, I won't say from which paper. Obviously I denied all knowledge of it and they said they were going to run the story on the Sunday so I got my lawyers involved and we had to threaten injunctions. That had been going on in February and we kept it under control."

The Press Complaints Commission Editors’ Code states:

Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.

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ii) Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent.

Maloney said: "Six weeks ago another newspaper turned up at my house, and then they turned up at my daughter's house, they turned up at all members of my family's house. I spoke with my lawyer and a couple of people who have been very good to me and I said, 'Look, I'm living in a shadow. I'm living in the dark. I can't go out of my house no more. I'm terrified.'

"They said: 'We need to find a paper that would be very friendly' and I said I'd only do this as long as I've got control because previously transgender people have been ridiculed in the press and I didn't want that to happen to me and I didn't want that to happen to others."

Maloney said having her story published felt "like a complete release" and the first thing she did was to get her ears pierced because "I can do anything now".

"Because they know. I'm not living two lives any more," she added.

She admitted that she used to buy women's clothing and then throw it away and had known she was "different from everyone else" from the age of three or four.

Asked how she felt about any negative comments, she said: "I received so many of them in my boxing business they'd just be like water off a duck's back now to me. Really, that life has prepared me for this transition."

Maloney, famous for wearing Union flag suits in the ring, guided Lewis to the undisputed world heavyweight title during a successful 30-year career and her former charge has backed her since she spoke out to the Sunday Mirror.

Lewis said previously: "I was just as shocked as anyone at the news about my former promoter and my initial thought was that it was a wind-up.

"However, having taken some time to read Kellie's statements, I understand better what she, and others in similar situations, are going through. I think that all people should be allowed to live their lives in a way that brings them harmony and inner peace.

"I respect Kellie's decision and say that if this is what brings about true happiness in her life, than so be it."

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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