Key Takeaways
- The UK government plans to tackle abusive and spurious lawsuits aimed at silencing whistleblowers and journalists, known as Slapps.
- The government will prioritize actioning limited provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to tackle Slapps related to economic crimes.
- A comprehensive approach to tackling all Slapps is a "priority commitment" in the government’s anti-corruption strategy, with a target date of 2029 for progress.
- The government will provide extra funding for an elite anti-corruption police unit and host a global summit on countering illicit finance.
- Campaigners have expressed disappointment at the lack of commitment to tackle political financing, closing loopholes for foreign donations and cryptocurrency donations, and placing limits on spending.
Introduction to Slapps
The UK government has announced plans to tackle abusive and spurious lawsuits aimed at silencing whistleblowers and journalists, known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (Slapps). Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has stated that the government is determined to crack down on this practice, which has been used to silence reporting on Russian oligarchs, the Post Office Horizon scandal, and allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the first priority will be to action the limited provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which tackle Slapps related to economic crimes.
Government Commitment to Tackling Slapps
Lammy, a vocal supporter of tougher laws on Slapps, confirmed that the government still intends to take further steps to tackle the issue. In his speech at the summit, he stated that the government will protect journalists and activists who shine a light on corruption, and will stop the powerful from using abusive lawsuits to intimidate reporters and bury the truth. The government’s anti-corruption strategy includes a commitment to consider the future approach for comprehensively tackling all Slapps, with a target date of 2029 for progress. However, campaigners believe that there will be a further push for legislation on Slapps by justice ministers before the next king’s speech.
Campaigner Reactions
Campaigners have welcomed the government’s commitment to tackling Slapps, but have expressed disappointment at the lack of urgency and detail in the strategy. The all-party parliamentary group on anti-corruption and responsible tax stated that the commitment on Slapps "lacks key details" and that the pledge to consider the future approach for comprehensively tackling all Slapps by 2029 "lacks the urgency that the problem demands". The group has called for more concrete action to tackle Slapps, including a ban on the practice.
Broader Anti-Corruption Strategy
The government’s anti-corruption strategy includes a range of measures to tackle corruption and illicit finance. The justice secretary announced that the strategy will include extra funding for an elite anti-corruption police unit, as well as a global summit on countering illicit finance to be hosted by the UK. There will also be a new official review of stolen or illegitimate assets in the UK to find the vulnerabilities exploited by criminals. However, campaigners have expressed disappointment at the lack of commitment to tackle political financing, closing loopholes for foreign donations and cryptocurrency donations, and placing limits on spending.
Conclusion
The UK government’s commitment to tackling Slapps is a positive step towards protecting whistleblowers and journalists, but campaigners are calling for more urgent and concrete action. The government’s anti-corruption strategy includes a range of measures to tackle corruption and illicit finance, but there are concerns that it does not go far enough. As the government moves forward with its plans to tackle Slapps, it will be important to ensure that the measures are effective and do not compromise the ability of journalists and whistleblowers to hold those in power to account. With a target date of 2029 for progress on tackling Slapps, it remains to be seen whether the government will be able to deliver on its commitments and make a meaningful impact on this important issue.
