A High Court judge today rejected an attempt by the UK Defence Secretary to ‘gag’ coroners.
Lawyers for Des Browne had challenged critical comments made by Andrew Walker, an Oxfordshire coroner, at the inquest of Private Jason Smith in November 2006. In the hearing, which was widely seen as a test case, lawyers had asked the court for guidance on the use of phrases such a ‘serious failure’ in inquests into the deaths of troops in active service, arguing that coroners could prejudice subsequent compensation claims. Mr Justice Collins rejected that argument.
NEWS
Legal defeat for MoD
A High Court judge today rejected an attempt by the UK Defence Secretary to ‘gag’ coroners. Lawyers for Des Browne had challenged critical comments made by Andrew Walker, an Oxfordshire coroner, at the inquest of Private Jason Smith in November 2006. In the hearing, which was widely seen as a test case, lawyers had asked […]
11 Apr 08
Support free expression for all
Prev
Next
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
READ MORE
-
Banned Books Week UK 2025
Join us in celebrating the right to read freely
-
Turkey’s crackdown on cartoonists is no laughing matter
Turkish satirical magazine LeMan faces mobs and arrests over a cartoon
-
Ireland’s Defamation (Amendment) Bill fails to protect public interest speech
More than 30 organisations call on the Seanad to take action over anti-SLAPP measures, calling it a missed opportunity to protect freedom of expres...
-
The week in free expression: 28 June–4 July 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days