Ministers to back crackdown on Slapp lawsuits aimed at intimidating critics

Government will back bill to curb spurious lawsuits often used by very rich to stop exposure of wrongdoing

Ministers are to support a crackdown on spurious lawsuits aimed at intimidating journalists, academics and campaigners, known as strategic litigation against public participation, or Slapps.

Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, said on Friday that the government would support a private member’s bill brought by the Labour backbencher Wayne David aimed at reducing the use of Slapps in the British courts.