Watchdog, the BBC consumer rights show presented by Anne Robinson, the notoriously tough celebrity journalist, beat off an attempt to gag part of last Friday's programme.

International Insurance Services Ltd failed in its High Court bid to stop Watchdog broadcasting a critical piece about the helpline service it runs on behalf of PC retailer Tiny Computers, Ananova reports.

More than 200 people had complained to Watchdog that the company deliberately cut off their phone calls after 15 minutes, forcing customers to return and incur higher phone charges.

Watchdog had obtained an interview with a former employee of International Insurance Services, who the company argued in the High Court had committed a breach of confidence by talking to the programme. ®