Libel News

London - The U.K. Parliament has passed a new Defamation Bill, which is designed to make it harder for claimants to suppress free speech.

A new law to tackle people who publish offensive messages online would have a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech, the Joint Committee on Human Rights has warned the British Government.

Lord Alistair McAlpine, an advisor to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has decided to legally pursue 10,000 Twitter users after being falsely accused of sexual child abuse.

Ryde - Lord McAlpine has sued and received large libel payouts from both the BBC and ITV; he is suing other people too, but he won't sue David Icke, not though for the reasons the latter may think.

Toronto - Before Rob Ford became mayor he allegedly made a libelous allegation against small business owner George Foulidis during an editorial board meeting with the Toronto Sun. Ford is in court this week facing a $6-million defamation lawsuit.

London - A comedian who sued for libel after being branded a “racist” has been awarded £54,900 damages. Does that mean we are all due for a payout?

London - Yesterday, the Leveson Inquiry continued with testimony from, among others, Sheryl Gascoigne, the former wife of former professional soccer player Paul Gascoigne. She was cross-examined in some detail.

New York - The Defamation League of B'Nai B'Rith has just published its annual survey which shows how bigoted Americans are, or does it show something else, about the ADL itself?

Ryde - David Icke sees himself as a fearless exposer of financial corruption, terrorism and sexual abuse. Others regard him as a latter day Don Quixote.

Liverpool - When serial killer Ian Brady was convicted, the crowds bayed for his blood; now he is being kept alive against his will at taxpayers' expense.