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Corporations amendment key battleground in Commons libel debate Corporations amendment key battleground in Commons libel debate
(6 months later)
MPs are being urged to reject a Conservative party attempt to water down a new law designed to make it more difficult for big businesses to sue journalists, academics and bloggers for libel.MPs are being urged to reject a Conservative party attempt to water down a new law designed to make it more difficult for big businesses to sue journalists, academics and bloggers for libel.
Former solicitor general Sir Edward Garnier has launched a bid to remove the need for corporations to prove they have suffered "substantial financial loss" before they launch a case in the high court.Former solicitor general Sir Edward Garnier has launched a bid to remove the need for corporations to prove they have suffered "substantial financial loss" before they launch a case in the high court.
But the Tory MP and libel lawyer's move has been condemned by Labour, with shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan warning it could "chill free speech" because people would feel threatened by the financial muscle of big businesses.But the Tory MP and libel lawyer's move has been condemned by Labour, with shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan warning it could "chill free speech" because people would feel threatened by the financial muscle of big businesses.
The Libel Reform Group has said unless the clause was preserved the "inhumane effects of libel bullying" would be perpetuated.The Libel Reform Group has said unless the clause was preserved the "inhumane effects of libel bullying" would be perpetuated.
Sir Edward's amendment would remove changes previously made in the Lords and will be debated in the House of Commons at 4pm on Tuesday.Sir Edward's amendment would remove changes previously made in the Lords and will be debated in the House of Commons at 4pm on Tuesday.
Khan said on Monday night: "We need to modernise our defamation laws if we're to strike the right balance between upholding free speech and protecting against damaged reputations.Khan said on Monday night: "We need to modernise our defamation laws if we're to strike the right balance between upholding free speech and protecting against damaged reputations.
"I urge MPs on all sides to accept the improvements made to the bill led by Labour peers in the House of Lords. We need to grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity to update our defamation laws to suit the challenges of the time, and complete the cross-party work begun under Labour in 2009."I urge MPs on all sides to accept the improvements made to the bill led by Labour peers in the House of Lords. We need to grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity to update our defamation laws to suit the challenges of the time, and complete the cross-party work begun under Labour in 2009.
"The bill before the Commons tomorrow [Tuesday] is markedly better than the government's original proposals, which Labour sought to improve at every turn."The bill before the Commons tomorrow [Tuesday] is markedly better than the government's original proposals, which Labour sought to improve at every turn.
"In particular, it's crucial that we prevent large and powerful institutions using the mere threat of defamation proceedings to chill free speech."In particular, it's crucial that we prevent large and powerful institutions using the mere threat of defamation proceedings to chill free speech.
"That's why we will be voting against Conservative attempts to change the safeguards introduced in the House of Lords which would stop a big institution from using their financial and legal might to intimidate scientists and academics."That's why we will be voting against Conservative attempts to change the safeguards introduced in the House of Lords which would stop a big institution from using their financial and legal might to intimidate scientists and academics.
"We hope the Liberal Democrats will abide by their manifesto commitments on this issue and support Labour in defeating Conservative attempts at diluting the bill.""We hope the Liberal Democrats will abide by their manifesto commitments on this issue and support Labour in defeating Conservative attempts at diluting the bill."
The popular Mumsnet website warned the bill would be "gutted" if Sir Edward's amendment was passed.The popular Mumsnet website warned the bill would be "gutted" if Sir Edward's amendment was passed.
The website said asking corporations to show evidence of financial damage would help end "vexatious" libel clams "which sadly Mumsnet sees on a near-daily basis".The website said asking corporations to show evidence of financial damage would help end "vexatious" libel clams "which sadly Mumsnet sees on a near-daily basis".
Justine Roberts, Mumsnet chief executive and co-founder, said: "This amendment would do great damage to a bill that we are proud to have campaigned for over the past three years. It would be a great shame if the government were to support it."Justine Roberts, Mumsnet chief executive and co-founder, said: "This amendment would do great damage to a bill that we are proud to have campaigned for over the past three years. It would be a great shame if the government were to support it."
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said the government was seeking to "overturn" the proposals on corporate libel action and another clause which would prevent local councils from suing individuals "as they are costly and unnecessarily restrictive".A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said the government was seeking to "overturn" the proposals on corporate libel action and another clause which would prevent local councils from suing individuals "as they are costly and unnecessarily restrictive".
"Removing this amendment from the bill will not have any effect on the existing common law principle which prevents local authorities and governmental bodies from bringing a defamation claim.""Removing this amendment from the bill will not have any effect on the existing common law principle which prevents local authorities and governmental bodies from bringing a defamation claim."
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