Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include anti-strategic legal action against public participation (SLAPPS) law in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is giving Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (‘SLAPPs’) and libel reform in UK courts urgent consideration in light of reports that Russia and its allies may be funding litigation against free speech in the UK.

Urgent consideration is being given what action can be taken across government to prevent acts by domestic or hostile entities that risk damaging the reputation of our judicial and legal profession. In doing so we are committed to a robust defence of transparency, rule of law and freedom of speech.

An announcement will be made very shortly.