UK Parliament
House of Commons
As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.
LIBEL LAW REFORM
EDM #423
Tabled 09 December 2009
2009-10 Session
There has been an amendment to this EDM.
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That this House notes that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of English libel law; further notes that libel actions in England and Wales cost 100 times more than the European average; further notes that the costs of defending a libel case are usually prohibitive and that even successful defendants do not recover their full costs; further notes the report of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights which criticises English libel law for its stifling of free expression globally due to libel tourism whereby foreign complainants bring cases against foreign writers for alleged libel in overseas publications; believes that public interest is endangered by powerful vested interests and corporations being able to intimidate writers into not publishing; recognises the recent report by Index on Censorship and English PEN, Free speech is not for sale andfurther notes the campaign for scientific freedom by Sense About Science; welcomes the formation of the Libel Reform Coalition to campaign for law reform; and calls for a re-casting of the libel laws such that, while individual reputation is protected against malicious or reckless smears, lawful free expression is not chilled and there is a fully effective public interest defence for both scholarship and responsible journalism.

Signatures (256)

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
1
Harris, Dr Evan
Liberal Democrat
09 December 2009
Primary
2
MacShane, Mr Denis
Labour
09 December 2009
3
Bottomley, Sir Peter
Conservative
09 December 2009
4
Farrelly, Paul
Labour
09 December 2009
5
Davies, Philip
Conservative
09 December 2009
6
Price, Adam
Plaid Cymru
09 December 2009
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Abbott, Ms Diane
Labour
14 January 2010
Alexander, Danny
Liberal Democrat
02 February 2010
Allen, Mr Graham
Labour
09 March 2010
Amess, Mr David
Conservative
22 February 2010
Ancram, Mr Michael
Conservative
12 January 2010
Anderson, Janet
Labour
18 January 2010
Atkinson, Mr Peter
Conservative
19 January 2010
Austin, John
Labour
05 January 2010
Bacon, Mr Richard
Conservative
05 January 2010
Bailey, Mr Adrian
Labour
06 January 2010
Baker, Norman
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Baldry, Tony
Conservative
24 March 2010
Banks, Gordon
Labour
13 January 2010
Barlow, Ms Celia
Labour
17 March 2010
Barrett, John
Liberal Democrat
12 January 2010
Barron, Kevin
Labour
04 March 2010
Battle, John
Labour
16 December 2009
Bayley, Hugh
Labour
11 March 2010
Begg, Dame Anne
Labour
15 December 2009
Beith, Sir Alan
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Berry, Dr Roger
Labour
05 January 2010
Betts, Mr Clive
Labour
10 March 2010
Binley, Mr Brian
Conservative
10 February 2010
Brady, Mr Graham
Conservative
16 December 2009
Brake, Tom
Liberal Democrat
12 January 2010
Breed, Mr Colin
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Brooke, Annette
Liberal Democrat
14 December 2009
Browne, Mr Jeremy
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Bruce, Malcolm
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Burden, Richard
Labour
22 February 2010
Burgon, Colin
Labour
05 January 2010
Burstow, Paul
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Burt, Lorely
Liberal Democrat
07 January 2010
Cable, Dr Vincent
Liberal Democrat
14 January 2010
Caborn, Mr Richard
Labour
18 January 2010
Cairns, David
Labour
16 December 2009
Campbell, Sir Menzies
Liberal Democrat
13 January 2010
Campbell, Mr Ronnie
Labour
07 January 2010
Carmichael, Mr Alistair
Liberal Democrat
16 March 2010
Carswell, Mr Douglas
Conservative
10 February 2010
Caton, Mr Martin
Labour
15 December 2009
Cawsey, Mr Ian
Labour
16 December 2009
Challen, Colin
Labour
05 January 2010
Chaytor, Mr David
Labour
03 February 2010
Clapham, Mr Michael
Labour
01 February 2010
Clark, Ms Katy
Labour
12 January 2010
Clarke, Mr Tom
Labour
13 January 2010
Clwyd, Ann
Labour
16 December 2009
Cohen, Harry
Labour
16 December 2009
Connarty, Michael
Labour
02 March 2010
Cook, Frank
Labour
22 February 2010
Corbyn, Jeremy
Labour
10 February 2010
Cousins, Jim
Labour
14 January 2010
Cruddas, Jon
Labour
10 March 2010
Cryer, Mrs Ann
Labour
14 December 2009
Cummings, John
Labour
05 January 2010
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Labour
04 March 2010
Curry, Mr David
Conservative
24 February 2010
Davey, Mr Edward
Liberal Democrat
14 January 2010
Davidson, Mr Ian
Labour
22 February 2010
Davies, Dai
Independent
07 January 2010
Davies, David T. C.
Conservative
07 January 2010
Davis, Mr David
Conservative
13 January 2010
Dean, Mrs Janet
Labour
16 December 2009
Devine, Jim
Labour
14 December 2009
Dhanda, Mr Parmjit
Labour
16 December 2009
Dismore, Mr Andrew
Labour
14 December 2009
Donaldson, Jeffrey M.
Democratic Unionist Party
16 December 2009
Drew, Mr David
Labour
28 January 2010
Ellman, Mrs Louise
Labour
06 January 2010
Ellwood, Mr Tobias
Conservative
09 March 2010
Engel, Mrs Natascha
Labour
11 January 2010
Etherington, Bill
Labour
19 January 2010
Farron, Tim
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Featherstone, Lynne
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Field, Mr Frank
Labour
05 January 2010
Fisher, Mark
Labour
05 January 2010
Flello, Mr Robert
Labour
30 March 2010
Flynn, Paul
Labour
23 March 2010
Foster, Mr Don
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Francis, Dr Hywel
Labour
09 February 2010
Galloway, Mr George
Respect
25 January 2010
Gapes, Mike
Labour
11 January 2010
George, Andrew
Liberal Democrat
10 December 2009
George, Mr Bruce
Labour
10 March 2010
Gerrard, Mr Neil
Labour
15 December 2009
Gidley, Sandra
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Goldsworthy, Julia
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Greenway, Mr John
Conservative
06 January 2010
Grogan, Mr John
Labour
06 April 2010
Hall, Patrick
Labour
22 February 2010
Hamilton, Mr David
Labour
08 February 2010
Hamilton, Fabian
Labour
16 December 2009
Hancock, Mr Mike
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Harris, Mr Tom
Labour
16 December 2009
Harvey, Nick
Liberal Democrat
14 December 2009
Havard, Mr Dai
Labour
14 December 2009
Heath, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Hemming, John
Liberal Democrat
10 December 2009
Hepburn, Mr Stephen
Labour
25 February 2010
Hermon, Lady Sylvia
Ulster Unionist Party
17 March 2010
Hesford, Stephen
Labour
07 January 2010
Heyes, David
Labour
21 January 2010
Hoey, Kate
Labour
14 December 2009
Holmes, Paul
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Hood, Mr Jim
Labour
05 January 2010
Hopkins, Kelvin
Labour
12 January 2010
Horam, Mr John
Conservative
25 February 2010
Horwood, Mr Martin
Liberal Democrat
02 February 2010
Howarth, David
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Howarth, Mr George
Labour
15 March 2010
Howells, Dr Kim
Labour
20 January 2010
Hughes, Simon
Liberal Democrat
01 February 2010
Huhne, Chris
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Humble, Mrs Joan
Labour
01 March 2010
Hunter, Mark
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Iddon, Dr Brian
Labour
14 December 2009
Illsley, Mr Eric
Labour
10 December 2009
Jackson, Glenda
Labour
15 December 2009
Jenkin, Mr Bernard
Conservative
14 January 2010
Jenkins, Mr Brian
Labour
10 December 2009
Jones, Lynne
Labour
10 December 2009
Kaufman, Sir Gerald
Labour
14 December 2009
Kawczynski, Daniel
Conservative
05 January 2010
Keeble, Ms Sally
Labour
21 January 2010
Keetch, Mr Paul
Liberal Democrat
07 January 2010
Kemp, Mr Fraser
Labour
16 December 2009
Kennedy, Mr Charles
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Key, Robert
Conservative
16 December 2009
Kirkbride, Julie
Conservative
11 March 2010
Kramer, Susan
Liberal Democrat
12 January 2010
Lamb, Norman
Liberal Democrat
02 February 2010
Lancaster, Mr Mark
Conservative
24 March 2010
Laws, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Laxton, Mr Bob
Labour
14 December 2009
Lazarowicz, Mark
Labour
22 February 2010
Leech, Mr John
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Leigh, Mr Edward
Conservative
02 March 2010
Levitt, Tom
Labour
14 December 2009
Linton, Martin
Labour
10 March 2010
Lloyd, Tony
Labour
11 January 2010
Llwyd, Mr Elfyn
Plaid Cymru
01 February 2010
Love, Mr Andy
Labour
16 December 2009
Mackay, Mr Andrew
Conservative
24 February 2010
Mackinlay, Andrew
Labour
09 December 2009
Main, Anne
Conservative
05 January 2010
Mates, Mr Michael
Conservative
12 January 2010
McCafferty, Chris
Labour
05 January 2010
McCrea, Rev Dr William
Democratic Unionist Party
01 February 2010
McDonagh, Siobhain
Labour
05 January 2010
McDonnell, John
Labour
15 December 2009
McGovern, Mr Jim
Labour
05 January 2010
Meacher, Mr Michael
Labour
23 March 2010
Mercer, Patrick
Conservative
12 March 2010
Miller, Andrew
Labour
13 January 2010
Mitchell, Mr Austin
Labour
05 January 2010
Moffat, Anne
Labour
13 January 2010
Moore, Mr Michael
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Morgan, Julie
Labour
29 January 2010
Moss, Mr Malcolm
Conservative
16 December 2009
Mulholland, Greg
Liberal Democrat
12 January 2010
Mullin, Mr Chris
Labour
08 March 2010
Murphy, Mr Denis
Labour
15 December 2009
Murphy, Mr Paul
Labour
13 January 2010
Naysmith, Dr Doug
Labour
16 December 2009
Oaten, Mr Mark
Liberal Democrat
16 December 2009
Olner, Mr Bill
Labour
04 February 2010
Öpik, Lembit
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Osborne, Sandra
Labour
17 March 2010
Palmer, Dr Nick
Labour
14 December 2009
Penning, Mike
Conservative
11 March 2010
Plaskitt, Mr James
Labour
09 March 2010
Pound, Stephen
Labour
05 January 2010
Prentice, Mr Gordon
Labour
10 December 2009
Prosser, Gwyn
Labour
15 December 2009
Pugh, Dr John
Liberal Democrat
07 January 2010
Reid, Mr Alan
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Rennie, Willie
Liberal Democrat
14 December 2009
Riordan, Mrs Linda
Labour
13 January 2010
Robinson, Mr Geoffrey
Labour
27 January 2010
Rogerson, Dan
Liberal Democrat
20 January 2010
Rooney, Mr Terry
Labour
14 December 2009
Rowen, Paul
Liberal Democrat
13 January 2010
Roy, Lindsay
Labour
24 March 2010
Russell, Bob
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Salter, Martin
Labour
25 February 2010
Sanders, Mr Adrian
Liberal Democrat
09 December 2009
Sarwar, Mr Mohammad
Labour
22 March 2010
Sharma, Virendra
Labour
16 March 2010
Shepherd, Mr Richard
Conservative
09 December 2009
Sheridan, Jim
Labour
16 December 2009
Short, Clare
Independent Labour
15 December 2009
Simpson, Alan
Labour
07 January 2010
Singh, Mr Marsha
Labour
04 March 2010
Slaughter, Andy
Labour
01 March 2010
Smith, Chloe
Conservative
06 January 2010
Smith, Geraldine
Labour
01 March 2010
Smith, Jacqui
Labour
25 January 2010
Smith, Sir Robert
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Soames, Hon Nicholas
Conservative
29 January 2010
Spink, Bob
Independent
16 December 2009
Stoate, Dr Howard
Labour
05 January 2010
Strang, Dr Gavin
Labour
05 January 2010
Streeter, Mr Gary
Conservative
05 January 2010
Stringer, Graham
Labour
15 December 2009
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Labour
15 December 2009
Stuart, Mr Graham
Conservative
15 December 2009
Stunell, Andrew
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Swinson, Jo
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Syms, Mr Robert
Conservative
15 December 2009
Taylor, Mr Ian
Conservative
05 January 2010
Taylor, Matthew
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Taylor, Dr Richard
Independent
16 December 2009
Teather, Sarah
Liberal Democrat
02 February 2010
Thornberry, Ms Emily
Labour
22 February 2010
Thurso, John
Liberal Democrat
05 January 2010
Truswell, Mr Paul
Labour
14 December 2009
Turner, Dr Desmond
Labour
19 January 2010
Twigg, Derek
Labour
27 January 2010
Ussher, Kitty
Labour
22 February 2010
Vaz, Keith
Labour
11 March 2010
Vis, Dr Rudi
Labour
10 December 2009
Walter, Mr Robert
Conservative
12 January 2010
Wareing, Mr Robert N.
Independent
05 January 2010
Webb, Prof Steve
Liberal Democrat
14 December 2009
Whittingdale, Mr John
Conservative
15 March 2010
Wicks, Malcolm
Labour
24 February 2010
Williams, Mrs Betty
Labour
08 March 2010
Williams, Hywel
Plaid Cymru
07 January 2010
Williams, Mark
Liberal Democrat
07 January 2010
Williams, Mr Roger
Liberal Democrat
13 January 2010
Williams, Stephen
Liberal Democrat
15 December 2009
Willis, Mr Phil
Liberal Democrat
10 February 2010
Willott, Jenny
Liberal Democrat
09 February 2010
Wilshire, Mr David
Conservative
26 February 2010
Wilson, Sammy
Democratic Unionist Party
03 March 2010
Winterton, Ann
Conservative
14 December 2009
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
Conservative
08 March 2010
Wishart, Pete
Scottish National Party
12 March 2010
Wood, Mike
Labour
10 March 2010
Wright, Mr Anthony
Labour
03 March 2010
Wyatt, Derek
Labour
15 December 2009
Younger-Ross, Richard
Liberal Democrat
02 February 2010

After an EDM has been tabled, other MPs can table amendments to it. Amendments to this motion are shown below. Click/tap on an amendment to view more detailed information about it.
423A1
Mark Durkan
"after `publishing;', insert `further believes that the libel laws discriminate against average and low paid people when victims of defamatory comment in the pages of national publications;'."
Tabled 14 December 2009
19 Signatures
mcve