Ben Stokes lambasted the Sun newspaper for publishing story on family tragedy

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— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) September 17, 2019

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

The all-rounder added: “To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives in particular, my parents is utterly disgusting”.

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

“I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feeligs and circumstances of my family.”

Ben Stokes was England’s World Cup hero and also displayed a brilliant 135 not out during the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley last month.

“ 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 ot my family. They are entitled to a private life of their own,” he added.

“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 event.

“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.

“This is the lowest form of journalism, focused only on chasing sales with absolutely no regards for devastation caused to lives as a consequence. It is totally out of order.”

A spokesperson for the Sun was quoted as stating by BBC: “The Sun has the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother but it is only right to point out the story was told with the co-operation of a family member who gave details, provided pictures and posed for pictures. The tragedy i also a matter of public record and was the subject of extensive front page publicity in New Zealand at the time.

“The Sun has huge admiration for Ben Stokes and we were delighted to celebrate his sporting heroics this summer. He was contacted before the publication and at no stage did he ask us not to publish the story.”