Almost 100 tweets are to be blocked in a former journalist’s legal action against social media platform X over alleged failures to shut down an account linked to her suspected cyberstalker.

The woman, who cannot be identified, obtained the interim injunction at the High Court in Belfast last week amid claims she has been subjected to an online campaign of abuse.

She is suing X, formerly known as Twitter, and a man accused of posting the content, seeking damages for alleged defamation and misuse of private information over the campaign, which the court heard has had a “devastating” impact on her reputation.

The case is focused on a series of tweets and blogs last year which were said to have targeted the woman, who was working as a journalist at the time,

A series of tweets contained serious and false allegations, as well as targeting her with threats, according to the Irish News.

The court was told the dfendant had made completely unfounded tweets about links to terrorism and a cover-up of murder.

The interim injunction to have the content of 97 postings withheld from access, or geo-blocked, in the United Kingdom, was granted by Mr Justice Colton.

The case is expected to be listed for a full trial later this year.

Speaking outside court, National Union of Journalists general secretary Michelle Stanistreet, pictured, said: “The culture of online toxicity has a chilling effect on journalists and journalism.

“Social media giants must do more to step in and prevent harmful content from appearing or indeed remaining on their platforms.”

NUJ assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley added: “Even with the protection of anonymity, this has been traumatic for our member.

“Platform providers must take stronger measures to curb abuse and need to recognise the devastating consequences of vile trolling, which is so often directed at women.”