UK Libel Law Reform - BCA drop their case against Simon

Update received yesterday evening (15-Apr-2010):

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Dear Friends

The British Chiropractic Association has dropped its libel case against Simon Singh. Read Simon's, our and some of our supporters' reactions to the news here: www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/478 Keep an eye out for coverage about this today - there has already been lots, I'll include a few links below.

We are so pleased for Simon that the BCA has dropped the case but the campaign is far from over. Until we have a public interest defence that can protect discussion and comment about evidence and research, scientists, commentators, bloggers, forum users, authors and NGOs will continue to be bullied into silence, and cardiologist Dr Peter Wilmshurst is still fighting to defend his right to speak out about a medical device clinical trial.

With your support the Coalition for Libel Reform has secured manifesto commitments from all the major parties. But we need to continue to put pressure on politicians to make sure these promises are turned into meaningful reform once the new government is in place. We are organising a Free Speech General Election Hustings where you can come and question politicians on their commitment to libel reform for Wednesday 21^st April in London. Check http://www.libelreform.org/ for more details about this soon.

The campaign reached 50,000 signatures of support last night. We really need to double this to keep the pressure up and make sure the politicians are aware of how serious the need for libel reform is. Please do all you can to help us reach our target by encouraging people to sign up at http://www.libelreform.org/

Best

Síle

***To get in touch with me use Reply-To Address: slane@senseaboutscience.org***

Times Online Science writer Simon Singh wins bitter libel battle

BBC News Case dropped against Simon Singh

The Guardian Simon Singh libel case dropped

For an updated list of coverage see www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/478

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CR4 Links:

• UK Libel Law Reform
• UK Libel Law Reform re-visited
• Libel Reform: Urgent Next Steps (UK Only)
• UK Libel Law Reform - Judgement Coming
• UK Libel Law Reform - The Fight Continues

Simon's original Guardian article that starting the whole thing:

• Beware the spinal trap

(Taken down from the website in June 2008 but reinstated 15-Apr-2010).

Note that it's in the ironically-named section "Comment is free".

John