Lammy: More to do
The Lord Chancellor has pledged to MPs that legislation to curb SLAPPs would be brought forward by the end of this Parliament – and hinted it may be sooner.
David Lammy indicated the Ministry of Justice will set out its position on the complementary private member’s bills [1] to tackle SLAPPs that were introduced in both Houses by Conservative members last month.
Mr Lammy said he recognised “the profound financial and psychological impact of so-called SLAPPs and the threat that they represent to democracy and free speech”.
During justice questions earlier last week, he continued: “Last year we implemented new laws to tackle SLAPPs relating to economic crime and to stop wealthy elites from effectively silencing critics, journalists and activists.
“I have confirmed that we intend, when parliamentary time allows, to introduce legislation that comprehensively tackles all SLAPPs.”
Labour MP Rupa Huq pointed out that SLAPPs – strategic lawsuits against public participation – were not just being used to try and silence journalism.
She highlighted a constituent who “was served with a scary legal notice to desist by one of the world’s largest law firms, instructed by a megabucks developer, for collecting signatures on Change.org against a local planning application”.
Mr Lammy replied: “She is right that SLAPPs go well beyond journalism and issues of free speech; we have heard harrowing stories of SLAPPs being used to silence sexual abuse survivors, cosmetic surgery patients unhappy with the quality of their treatment, and even tenants who have complained to landlords.
“The economically related SLAPP measures represent a positive step forward, but there is more to do.
“We will bring forward legislation, and we are also working across the House to see what more we can do over this next period. We are determined to move in this area before the next general election.”
In response to Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty, Mr Lammy said “there are some vehicles by which we might well be able to see progress over the coming months and, on second reading, we will set out our position regarding some of the private member’s bills that the honourable gentleman’s colleagues have tabled”.
The second readings are expected after Parliament’s summer recess.
Mr Obese-Jecty had said he was “hugely concerned about the manner in which SLAPPs are being used to intimidate and harass individuals in public service”.
He said two parish councillors in his Huntingdon constituency had been “bullied out of public office” after their councils were targeted over planning concerns.
“Parish councils are the bedrock of democracy and the brazen attempt to railroad individual parish councillors is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Alicia Kearns talked about a company that sells self-swab rape kits “using SLAPPs to attack rape charities and survivors who dare to speak out against it”.
She said: “I implore the government to please bring forward the legislation at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Mr Lammy replied: “I hope that, by working cross-party, we can move swiftly in this area.”