During the debate, Labour MP and former shadow media minister Chris Matheson revealed he had learned of the case and had filed a parliamentary question about it only to hear from Boies Schiller Flexner, the law firm handling the case, which has represented various controversial clients including Harvey Weinstein.<\/p>\n
Matheson said to Davis: I tabled a written question in this place about their effects on media freedom. I have to tell the House and the Rt Hon Gentleman that I was then contacted by lawyers for the company asking me to withdraw that question. What is his response to their asking me to withdraw a perfectly innocent parliamentary question?<\/p>\n
Davis response was stark. First, the lawyers clearly do not understand parliamentary privilege, he told assembled MPs. Secondly, what they are doing will come back to this in a second is trying to repress free speech and transparency in this country.<\/p>\n
Gareth Johnson, a junior minister in the justice department, responded on behalf of the government, reaffirming its commitment to bring forward measures to restrict Slapp actions and protect media freedom.<\/p>\n
Slapps are wrong. They are a form of bullying. They need to be stopped, and stopped through legislation, he said. First, let me emphasise that investigative journalism is of central importance to a functioning democracy.<\/p>\n
We rely on journalists to hold powerful people and organisations to account for our collective good. Lawfare that targets our public watchdogs through aggressive, intimidatory tactics must be stamped out.<\/p>\n
Johnson was warned by MPs that such reforms are required as a matter of urgency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
More: During the debate, Labour MP and former shadow media minister Chris Matheson revealed he had learned of the case and had filed a parliamentary question about it only to hear from Boies Schiller Flexner, the law firm handling the case, which has represented various controversial clients including Harvey Weinstein. Matheson said to Davis: I tabled a written question in this place about their effects on media freedom. I have to tell the House and the Rt Hon Gentleman that I was then contacted by lawyers for the company asking me to withdraw that question Continue reading
\nSlapp cases: David Davis lambasts law firm for trying to 'repress free speech' - The Bureau of Investigative Journalism<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"