Britain’s ‘draconian’ libel laws to be reformed

By Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent

Announcement of libel reform came as a surprise Photo: EPA A consultation will take place over the summer before legislation is put before Parliament early in the New Year.

Lord McNally, the Justice Secretary, said that there was growing concern about the impact on freedom of expression of the current system.

Investigative journalists, academics and members of the scientific community who wish to write unfavourable reports have all been hit by the heavy-handed use of the libel laws by powerful firms and individuals, often based overseas, in what has been dubbed 'libel tourism'.

Lord McNally made his surprise announcement during a debate on libel in the House of Lords, after Lord Lester, a Liberal Democrat peer, introduced his own backbench legislation.

The minister said: "In reviewing the law we want to focus on ensuring that freedom of speech and academic debate are protected and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation.

"We want to ensure that the right balance is achieved so people who have been defamed are able to take action to protect their reputation but so that freedom of speech is not unjustifiably impeded."

Lord Lester said that, while listening to the minister, he had "wondered if I'm alive at all or whether I'm in heaven, because I never thought to hear a reply of that kind".

His plans had been welcomed by peers on all sides of the House, including Baroness Buscombe, a Conservative and chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, who said that reform was “long overdue”.

John Kampfner, the chief executive of Index on Censorship, said: "We are delighted, but obviously we'll need to see how bold the Government will be – they must stop libel tourism, cut the obscene legal costs involved and give cast-iron protections to free speech."

But Lord Triesman, who stood down as chairman of the Football Association after a private conversation in which he criticised other nations was reported in a newspaper, warned against giving more power to a media which could be “savage” towards people who “did not deserve it”. Telegraph