Deal reached over Guardian journalist's partner's data

An agreement has been reached over the terms of a temporary order relating to the extent of the use of material seized from a Guardian journalist’s partner held at Heathrow under UK anti-terror laws, High Court judges heard.

Two judges in London granted orders last week which partially and temporarily curtailed police use of data taken from David Miranda, the partner of Glenn Greenwald, who has worked with US whistleblower Edward Snowden on a series of security services exposes.

Lord Justice Beatson and Mr Justice Kenneth Parker ruled that, pending the hearing, the material could continue to be examined – but only for national security purposes and the protection of the public.

The case was listed to be heard before Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Kenneth Parker to determine what, if any, injunction should be in place pending a judicial review hearing, possibly in October.

But at the start of proceedings, Matthew Ryder QC, for Mr Miranda, told the judges that discussions had been taking place between the parties and “we have managed to agree an order between us” to continue until that hearing later in the year.

Mr Ryder said the agreement would allow the order made by Lord Justice Beatson and Mr Justice Kenneth Parker to continue pending the judicial review hearing - at which Mr Miranda is expected to argue that his detention was a misuse of powers granted under anti-terrorism laws.

He said Mr Miranda had taken a “pragmatic approach” and accepted that the issues could be “better canvassed” at the full hearing.

Lawyers said the judicial review hearing is expected to take place in the last two weeks of October.

Mr Miranda, 28, who was held at the airport for nine hours on Sunday August 18, has launched an application for judicial review, arguing that his detention was a misuse of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and breached his human rights.

He was held without charge for the maximum time permitted under the anti-terror legislation, which concerns port and border controls, as he changed planes on a journey from Berlin to his home in Brazil.

A lawyer representing Mr Miranda said after today's hearing that the agreed order announced today would allow police access to material seized ``only on narrow and tightly defined grounds''.

Lord Justice Laws had told the court: “Whatever the ultimate merits of this case, it is an interesting and important case.”