A “well-known individual” attempting to block two media outlets from publishing allegations about him has been accused of inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities with girls and young women, the high court has heard.

The individual, referred to in court as PPT, is seeking a permanent injunction against the Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing the allegations, which he denies. His legal team argued that publishing them would “highly likely lead him to commit suicide”.

In written submissions to the court in London, the news outlets said the allegations involved more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts, as part of a “wide-ranging and rigorous investigation”.

However, at the opening of a two-day trial, PPT’s legal team argued it was a “highly exceptional” case in which publishing was likely to lead to the death of the claimant.

In a written submission to the court, the claimant’s legal team said that he suffered from “very severe mental health problems”.

“It is important to understand that…