Ben Stokes

England batsman Ben Stokes says the Sun newspaper's front-page story about his family is "utterly disgusting" and the "lowest form of journalism".

The newspaper alleges that some of his family, based in New Zealand, had to deal with what Stokes describes as "deeply personal and traumatic events".

Stokes, 28, who starred as England won the World Cup this summer, called the article "immoral and heartless".
The BBC has contacted the Sun for a response.

In a statement, Stokes said the story concerned "events in the private lives of my family, going back more than 31 years" and had "serious inaccuracies which has compounded the damage caused".

"The decision to publish these details has grave and lifelong consequences for my mum in particular," he said.

The Durham and England all-rounder added: "To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of - in particular - my parents is utterly disgusting.

"It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism.

"I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family."

He added: "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.

"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 think it is acceptable to sensationalise our personal tragedy for their front page.

"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."

"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."

Guess the only way to show them is to never, ever buy the rag. As from today I'll do that small thing joining the millions who already refuse to give them oxygen (although in reality I have refused to buy the Sun for many years), .

I cant believe that paper still exists but what have they actually done thats wrong?

If just about the most famous sportsman in the country had a half brother and sister that were brutally murdered
before he was born surely and tabloid and maybe even broadsheet would cover the story?

And against the will of the parents involved?

I am entertaining a Captain Kirk this weekend

REPORTED RACIST

Is it just the two of you Whispering or a gang? If you want your hair cut there's sure to be a Turkish barbers just don't take any females.

I don't need to argue against those who buy the paper, I just need to be resolute in what I say about never giving them a penny and hope many more will agree with me & do likewise.

I don't need to argue against those who buy the paper, I just need to be resolute in what I say about never giving them a penny and hope many more will agree with me & do likewise.

Spreading the word brother!

nobody felt the need to google one and think about Elitist controls when a search would obviously not reveal one.

Why would a search engine not reveal what was asked for?

Doh!

Can you really not figure that out?

Don't even go there. We got a bit of family strife going on. American Wedding London!

All three London games are on Sunday and they fly out Sunday.

Chances are I want to take him to watch Fenerbache at 6pm on Saturday but I think he is Galatasaray. I am not sure of the politics involved but most emigres are anti Erdogan

Games in some " Foreign " Bars can be quite atmospheric specially if there is a little politics involved and being from Gillingham I like a bit of banter.

One of my friends lives in a Caravan Park ( you might not be surprised to hear that! During the last Chelsea Tottenham game there was a fight in the bar involving blokes in their 50's. These boys just don't change but it is a lot of fun if you can managed to duck and keep hold of your beer at the same time. You can take the boy out of Gillingham but you can't take Gillingham out of the boy!

It was always an ambition of mine to sit in the Harleyford Road stand at The Oval to watch a game and drink Red Stripe. I eventually got that wish but it was and Ashes game in 2013 I think. I thought it would be raucous and lively but was full of middle class lovies but to be fair most had some of the finest pack up's I have ever seen. brie's and Camemberts, kalamata olives, speciality salami being washed down with top kwality white wines and Champagne. Great day out. England should have won but cry baby Clarke called for the light when fielding!

I am saddened by the lack of West Indian origin people that watch cricket. I went to Sabina Park a couple of times. Kwality people. They serve you Stripe and Curried Goat in your seat and bring you the bill at the end of the day. On one day my host was so drunk he could not be presented with the bill.

The next day the steward sidled up to him and said " I am so sorry Sir, I forgot to give you your bill yesterday ". Now that is Klass!

Murdoch filth say no more

Not sure about greatest probably the most fortunate and one of the most exciting

I like to buy the very odd one to shitt on.

All very odd.

I mean if tabloids are not going to report on murders/rapes/robberies, crazy going on's of the rich and famous then people dont understand why they exist.

I dont buy them but if you are in the public eye they will find out anything interesting about you or just make stuff up.

I am sure Stokes parents wont have enjoyed reading about his homophobic assault either. Shoukd that not have been reported?


So what.

Captain Carnage, Captain Braindead more like.

1)Stokes, or anyone else for that matter who has through their career being high profile, have to accept that they are in the public eye and have to accept scrutiny. This under no circumstances should apply to family and friends - they have no choice.

2) This happened 30 years ago, this is not current affairs and was only brought up as salacious, hurtful gossip to sell papers.

3) If you can't understand how the family who will no doubt have tried to put this horrific and traumatic incident in the past might find it upsetting to have this out in the open decades later then you have a problem. And for what? Do you think the public need to be told?

4) "And why do you think any of Stokes family read the paper"?!!!!! Are you really for real? I didn't read the paper and can't remember the last time I did but sadly enough stupid people do, and that's why I am aware of this story.

As an extreme example, just to ram the point home, if you were famous would you really like it if a story broke that your mum was sucking off the sailors at the local docks to help pay for your private Maths and English tuition because you were being left behind a bit at school?

You guys need to differentiate between two things.

1. Posting a story like that is low. Yes its an old story and no mother/brother would like to be reminded of an event like this.
2. Tabloids don't give a fk about any of the above and work by spreading sensationalism. If they started caring about people's emotions, they wouldn't be tabloids would they?

So calm down. The Sun will have something new for you to complain about pretty soon.