A journalist who could face legal action for failing to reveal his sources will have to wait another week to discover his fate.

Graham Smith, who has been investigating the sinking of the trawler The Gaul in 1974 with all hands, was supposed to meet solicitor Laurance O'Dea yesterday to reveal the identity of a story source.

But Graham has indicated he was unwilling to name names and the meeting has been put on hold for a week.

He published a story on his website - and a voice recording - of a Navy submariner who claims to have overheard a canteen conversation alleging the boat was pulled under by a nuclear sub.

Last week the Yorkshire freelance was sent a summons to produce his documents, recordings and notes to the inquiry legal team at a meeting with Laurance O'Dea.

The National Union of Journalists is backing Graham, and union lawyers have intervened to have the date put back while legal points are argued.

The union believes this is the first case in which a journalist has been ordered to reveal the source of a story published on a website.