Labour calls for urgent superinjunctions debate and inquiry

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Following widespread concern at the use and now flouting of super injunctions, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan MP and Shadow Culture Secretary Ivan Lewis MP are calling for an urgent Parliamentary debate and Select Committee inquiry into the current legislation and judicial guidance.

Sadiq Khan MP said:

“If the existing system can neither protect the privacy of individuals nor ensure a fair and level playing field between the mainstream press and new media, as seems to be the case, then it clearly needs reform. The Government should now address this issue and ensure Parliament has the opportunity to debate it fully.”

Ivan Lewis MP said:

“It is now urgent the Government provides Parliamentary time for a full debate on an issue which goes to the heart of freedom of speech and privacy in our democracy. We are also calling for the establishment of a joint Justice and CMS Select Committee inquiry into existing legislation and judicial guidance. Parliament must act to address a deeply unsatisfactory state of affairs.”

There’s an urgent question being asked in the house today about gagging orders at 3.30pm, which could easily move this debate forward even further within parliament. More news as we have it.