Labour delays proposals to ban oppressive Slapps lawsuits

Labour justice minister in Lords says there is ‘need to protect access to justice’ for legitimate claims

Labour has delayed proposals to tackle spurious lawsuits brought by oligarchs and others aimed at intimidating journalists, academics and campaigners.

Frederick Ponsonby, a Labour justice minister in the House of Lords, said he could not commit to bringing forward standalone legislation on strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, or set out a timetable for tackling the issue.