The Rt Hon Ken Clarke MP
Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London SW1H 9AJ

24 October 2011

Dear Ken,
I am writing to you regarding the Government's draft Defamation Bill, originally presented in May and since considered by a Joint Select Committee.
Given the resources that have gone in to producing the draft Bill, the consideration of the Joint Select Committee and the outstanding inadequacy of existing laws, I believe it is important that a Defamation Bill is included in the next Queen's speech.
It is right that Parliament works together to secure legislation that makes it easier to dismiss trivial libel claims, provides greater clarity on permissible defences (such as public interest), modernises existing laws so they encompass the internet, and rebalances the law in favour of freedom of expression.
I have received a great many letters from constituents concerned with the current state of English libel law and keen to see the Government commit to ensuring a Defamation Bill is passed as soon as possible.
I hope you will respond appropriately to their concerns and mine.
Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion