KATE Winslet’s husband is not a public figure in his own right, a High Court judge has said. Ned had “briefly become something of public figure” as a result of his relationship with the actress, said Justice Briggs. But the judge said that was not enough to place Ned - a nephew of tycoon Sir Richard Branson - into the “public sphere”. Briggs’ analysis emerged as he revealed his reasons for preventing a tabloid newspaper printing “innocent but embarrassing” pictures taken of Ned at a private fancy dress party with an “outrageous” theme two years ago. The Sun had argued that publication of the “semi-nude photos” would be justified because Ned - who changed his name from Edward Abel Smith - was a public figure.            –ES