The rights on which our liberties depend have gradually been overturned by zealous judges and the authoritarian Left. After the 'disproportionate' arrest of Damien Greene, we have a new attack. The Grauniad has reported that they are unable to report the proceedings within Parliament itself, under the laws of libel.
Today's published Commons order papers contain a question to be answered by a minister later this week. The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found.
The Guardian is also forbidden from telling its readers why the paper is prevented – for the first time in memory – from reporting parliament. Legal obstacles, which cannot be identified, involve proceedings, which cannot be mentioned, on behalf of a client who must remain secret.
The only fact the Guardian can report is that the case involves the London solicitors Carter-Ruck, who specialise in suing the media for clients, who include individuals or global corporations.
It
is important that monster of libel is constrained, circumscribed and
put back in its box. When libel threatens the right of the public to
know the proceedings of Parliament, then reform becomes a necessity. One wonders which judge was willing to agree to such tyrannous conditions.