Stokes condemns 'disgusting' report

Durham and England cricket star Ben Stokes has condemned as "utterly disgusting" a front page newspaper story reporting on a family tragedy from more than three decades ago.

Stokes, who lives in East Durham, said the publication of "extremely painful, sensitive and personal details" would have "grave and lifelong consequences" for his loved ones.

In a statement on Twitter, Stokes lambasted The Sun newspaper, which carried the story on its front page yesterday, accusing it of being focused on "chasing sales" regardless of the emotional impact on his family.

In the post, which has amassed thousands of retweets, likes and numerous supportive comments, he wrote: "Today the Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details concerning events in the private lives of my family, going back more than 31 years.

"It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism. I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family.

"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 events."

He said a reporter had turned up to his parents' home in New Zealand "out of the blue about the tragedy.

The newspaper reported that the couple and the cricket star had declined to comment.