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Science writer wins libel appeal Science writer wins libel appeal
(30 minutes later)
A science writer has won the right to rely on the defence of fair comment in a libel action, in a landmark ruling at the Court of Appeal.A science writer has won the right to rely on the defence of fair comment in a libel action, in a landmark ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Simon Singh was accused of libel by the British Chiropractic Association over an article in the Guardian in 2008.Simon Singh was accused of libel by the British Chiropractic Association over an article in the Guardian in 2008.
Dr Singh questioned the claims of some chiropractors over the treatment of certain childhood conditions.Dr Singh questioned the claims of some chiropractors over the treatment of certain childhood conditions.
The High Court had said the words were fact not opinion - meaning Dr Singh could not use the fair comment defence.The High Court had said the words were fact not opinion - meaning Dr Singh could not use the fair comment defence.
'Meaning of words''Meaning of words'
However, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lord Justice Sedley ruled High Court judge Mr Justice Eady had "erred in his approach" last May, and allowed Dr Singh's appeal.However, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lord Justice Sedley ruled High Court judge Mr Justice Eady had "erred in his approach" last May, and allowed Dr Singh's appeal.
TIMELINE: SINGH LIBEL CASE April 2008: Publishes blog on Guardian website criticising British Chiropractic Association. It sues for libelMay 2009: High Court rules article's wording implied BCA was being consciously dishonestFebruary 2010: Challenges ruling at the Court of Appeal, using defence of fair commentApril 2010: Wins appeal on technical point, that the statements can be regarded as comment
BBC News correspondent Pallab Ghosh says that, had the High Court ruling stood, science journalists would have required a very high standard of proof to defend libel cases.
Dr Singh described the ruling as "brilliant".Dr Singh described the ruling as "brilliant".
He said: "It is extraordinary this action has cost £200,000 to establish the meaning of a few words."He said: "It is extraordinary this action has cost £200,000 to establish the meaning of a few words."
In the article in April 2008, Dr Singh suggested there was a lack of evidence for the claims over conditions such as colic and asthma. In the article in April 2008, Dr Singh suggested there was a lack of evidence for the claims some chiropractors made on treating certain childhood conditions such as colic and asthma.
The British Chiropractic Association alleged that Dr Singh had effectively accused its leaders of knowingly supporting bogus treatments.The British Chiropractic Association alleged that Dr Singh had effectively accused its leaders of knowingly supporting bogus treatments.
The case has become a cause celebre for science journalists and led to calls for defamation law to be rewritten so it would not intefere with scientific debates. 'Delighted with ruling'
Standard of proof The case has become a cause celebre for science journalists and led to calls for defamation law to be rewritten so it would not interfere with scientific debates.
Tracey Brown, spokeswoman for the Coalition for Libel Reform, said: "We are delighted with the judges' ruling, but it does not go far enough.Tracey Brown, spokeswoman for the Coalition for Libel Reform, said: "We are delighted with the judges' ruling, but it does not go far enough.
"There is a cardiologist currently being sued by a device manufacturer, we have researchers who have been unable to publish their critique of lie detector technology because of threats of libel action."There is a cardiologist currently being sued by a device manufacturer, we have researchers who have been unable to publish their critique of lie detector technology because of threats of libel action.
"A major science journal is also currently being sued and our academics are being told to pull down blogs.""A major science journal is also currently being sued and our academics are being told to pull down blogs."
BBC News correspondent Pallab Ghosh says that, had the High Court ruling stood, science journalists would have required a very high standard of proof to defend libel cases.