Professor David Miller wins legal bid to unmask critical Twitter user

David Miller, the controversial Bristol academic who called for an ‘end to Zionism’, has won a High Court legal bid to disclose the identity of a critical social media user.

Miller, who is under investigation by bosses at the Russell Group university after calling its J-Soc “pawns” of Israel, had sought permission from the High Court to reveal the identity of Twitter user @habibi_uk.

The user published highly critical posts about Miller and his views.

In a ruling dated 30 March, Master Thornett ruled that Twitter must disclose the user’s email address, any names, IP address, and all the occasions that the account had been accessed.

He ruled that he was “satisfied that there is a prima facie case that an unknown party subscribing to the Respondent’s services has committed the wrongdoings alleged.”

Miller could now use the information to issue further legal claims against the individual.

Twitter did not resist the bid, known as a ‘Norwich Pharmacal’ order.

A sparsely-attended rally was held in defence of the academic at the university’s Wills Memorial Building last month.

A petition calling for the professor to face disciplinary action for his comments racked up nearly 9,000 signatures, while a high-profile ‘Hate Off Campus’ virtual rally organised by Jewish students saw the issue raised in the House of Commons.