Author Archives: Robert Sharp

The Independent View: A chance for Liberal Democrat activists to speak up for free speech

There is a new threat to the Defamation Bill.

No sooner had the proposed law been liberated, after being taken hostage by Leveson negotiations, than Conservative MPs have begun messing with crucial free speech provisions.

Former libel lawyer Sir Edward Garnier MP has tabled an amendment seeking to remove a crucial clause from the Defamation Bill. The clause places some limits on corporations’ use of the libel laws. It does not bar them from suing entirely – just asks that they show financial loss before they do so. It’s an objective and measurable …

Posted in The Independent View | Tagged , , , and | 3 Comments

Libel law needs major reform

The clamour for a change to our pernicious libel laws grows louder every day.  In November, Index on Censorship and English PEN published Free Speech is Not For Sale, a report into the state of libel in England & Wales, and the bizarre phenomenon of libel tourism.  Impressed by this report, Jack Straw announced the creation of a working group to deliver reform.  Lib Dem peer Lord Lester announced on the BBC Radio 4 PM programme he will begin drafting a libel bill, and MPs have begun to sign EDM 423 (tabled by Dr …

Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged , , and | 7 Comments
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  • Paul Holmes
    Alex, you are not seriously suggesting that unelected and entirely unaccountable Housing Associations should be given tax raising powers? Also, can you point...
  • Paul Holmes
    Excellent points Ian. Local Government has been eroded for a long time but is now being replaced by local administration of Government policy at break neck spee...
  • Alex B
    Big problem on council housing is that local authorities just do not have the organisational resource or expertise to manage big projects. It calls for a big ex...
  • Iain Donaldson
    Here's a combined response that addresses both comments while reinforcing your federalist argument: Thanks both. I think you're actually highlighting differe...
  • Jana
    Just watched Andy Burnham’s speech. I hope this is the opening shots in a General Election that may occur in the Autumn....