Index on Censorship has condemned attempts by Labour Lords to include elements of statutory media regulation into the Draft Defamation Bill, which aims to reform England’s archaic libel laws.

Kirsty Hughes, CEO of Index on Censorship said:

“It’s unacceptable for Labour Peers to hold the government to ransom by injecting statutory regulation of the press into a vitally needed Defamation Bill that is meant to strengthen freedom of expression. These two very different issues should be dealt with separately. The government must not drop the Defamation Bill, but continue the all-party talks on Leveson..”

She added: “Our libel laws make us an international laughing stock and chill free speech. Scientists, bloggers and human rights activists have been silenced over the safety of heart valves, the dumping of toxic waste and the evasion of tax by major corporations. We cannot wait for reform.”