Dominic Raab can't name a timeline for cracking down on lawsuits restricting freedom of speech

Attorney General Dominic Raab Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Dominic Raab hasn't set a date for new freedom of speech measures to be introduced in Parliament to protect journalists from the annoying claims of the oligarchs.

The Attorney General has vowed to crack down on «SLAPP» or strategic lawsuits against public participation, which could include libel cases resulting in astronomical legal costs.

This mechanism has been used against investigative journalists, prompting warnings that the UK legal system is being used to pressure journalists to retract reporting.

Editors of national newspapers, including The Telegraph, were among the signatories to a November letter to Mr Raab and other ministers calling for a «quick» change in the law to deal with the problem.

In his reply letter, Mr. Raab said that a new law against SLAPPS was being prepared, but declined to give a specific timeframe for when the proposals would be submitted to Parliament.

“We will proceed with major legislation as soon as time permits in Parliament,” wrote Mr. Raab.

This has raised concerns that Rishi Sunak's government is not prioritizing these measures.

For a Primary Law to be passed by Parliament, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords must vote in favor of it, a process that can take a long time.

A general election is expected next year, and this means that time for new legislation to be discussed, voted on, and put into the code of laws is running out before Sunak faces re-election.

'The lack of content is disappointing& #39;

Nick Williams, policy and campaign officer at Index on Censorship, the body that spearheads the campaign for action, criticized the lack of clarity on the timeline.

Mr Williams said the lack of content in Raab's long-delayed response is disappointing, given the overwhelming support for constructive action from the media and lawyers, as well as civil society.

«While due diligence is certainly needed, this should not be used by the UK government as an excuse to play for time.»

The Index on Censorship is co-chairing the UK coalition against SLAPP. along with the Foreign Policy Center and English PEN.

The Conservative government has been promising to take action against SLAPP for over a year, and Mr. Raab unveiled plans to do so in March 2022.

At the time, Boris Johnson, then prime minister, said: «The ability of a free press to hold those in power accountable is fundamental to our democracy, and as a former journalist, I am determined to never let criticism shut up.»

“For the oligarchs and the super-rich who can afford these sky-high expenses, the threat of legal action has become a new kind of legitimacy. We must end its deterrent effect.»

Raab's spokesman said on Monday: «As stated by the Attorney General, we are determined to advance the anti-SLAPP law to protect freedom of speech. and our free press".