Two news organisations have a duty to the public and their sources to publish allegations of exploitative sexual behaviour by a well-known figure despite claims he is “highly likely” to attempt suicide, the high court has heard.

The anonymous individual, known in court simply as PPT, is seeking an injunction against the Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing the allegations, which he denies.

His legal team have argued that publishing would be likely to lead to his death, after two previous attempts to take his own life.

However, the legal team for the media groups told the high court there were powerful “countervailing” considerations compelling them to publish the claims.

Gavin Millar KC, the lead barrister for the media outlets, said they had “not just the responsibility, but the duty to publish information we believe to be in the public interest”.

He argued the claimant had not taken the impact on the sources involved in the investigation “sufficiently into account”.

“They have made a substantial…