Former Brexit Secretary Calls for Government Action to Curb SLAPPs

Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis speaks in the House of Commons during the second reading debate on the EU (Notification on Withdrawal) Bill, in London, on Jan. 31, 2017. PA via AP

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has called on the government to take urgent action to stop so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), as he raised in Parliament the case of several defamation actions which have been brought in the High Court in London against British media outlets.

Campaigners against SLAPPs say they are injunctions used by wealthy corporations and individuals to deter public interest journalism.