Pressure on peers over vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Prime Minister's office telephoned Conservative peers to swing the vote for a change in the law on defamation which could help the Tory MP and former minister Neil Hamilton.
A number of Conservative peers said they had been contacted to lobby support for the amendment to the Defamation Bill, although it was on a free vote without whipping.
Mr Hamilton, MP for Tatton, could restart his action against the Guardian, according to the Lord Chancellor's Department, if the amendment in the Lords is passed by the Commons.
The amendment, which was passed by the House of Lords by 1,587 votes to 57, will give MPs and peers new rights to sue newspapers over reports of their Parliamentary activities.
The amendment to the Defamation Bill followed a court ruling which stopped Mr Hamilton pursuing an action against the Guardian, over reports that he had accepted payments from Mohammed al-Fayed and a six-day visit to the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments