Libel reform promised

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg promised in early January to introduce a draft libel reform bill. Clegg described the current UK laws "an international laughing stock", and the bill will include restrictions on "libel tourism". The possibility of strengthening in law the defences of public interest and fair commment is also under consideration. The bill is being prepared by the Ministry of Justice's Lord McNally, and is expected to become law in 2013, after a lot of lobbying. Watch this space.