R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Simms [2000] 2 AC 115 Simms was a convicted murderer who claimed to be innocent. In seeking and receiving help from a journalist, he was interviewed on several occasions. A blanket ban was imposed by the Home Secretary on journalists using information gained during such interviews with prisoners. He claimed authority to do this under the Prison Rules. However, the court found the blanket ban to be unlawful.