Ben Stokes has reportedly taken a legal course of action against the UK newspaper that recently published sensitive information about the England all-rounder's New Zealand-based family.
The Sun had sparked controversy while Stokes was busy with Ashes duties by publishing a front-page story headlined Stokes’ Secret Tragedy revealing the cricketer's half-brother and sister were shot dead by his mother’s ex-partner in New Zealand, three years before he was born.
It is now learnt via a report from The Guardian that Stokes and his mother Deborah have filed a legal case against The Sun for breaching their privacy and revealing the horrifying incident publically.
But the report also says it is unclear whether papers have been formally served on the Sun’s publisher, News Group Newspapers, which is part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
At the time, Stokes was quick to make his views clear how The Sun has gone down to "the lowest form of journalism" and hurt him personally.
"I am aware that my public profile brings with it consequences for me that I accept entirely. But I will not allow my public profile to be used as an excuse to invade the rights of my parents, my wife, my children or other family members. They are entitled to a private life of their own," wrote the 28-year-old, who has played 57 Test and 95 ODIs for England so far, in a post via Twitter.
"For more than three decades, my family has worked hard to deal with the private trauma inevitably associated with these events and has taken great care to keep private what were deeply personal and traumatic events."
"On Saturday the Sun sent a 'reporter' to my parents' home in New Zealand to question them, out of the blue, on this incredibly upsetting topic. If that wasn't bad enough, the Sun thinks it is acceptable to sensationalise our personal tragedy for their front page," he added.
"This is the lowest form of journalism, focused only on chasing sales with absolutely no regard for the devastation caused to lives as a consequence. It is totally out of order."
