Nick Clegg wants public interest rule change

A REFORM of the law is needed to ensure a proper public interest defence for journalists, Nick Clegg has said.
Clegg on the campaign trail yesterday in the marginal Oxford West and Abingdon seat. Picture: GettyClegg on the campaign trail yesterday in the marginal Oxford West and Abingdon seat. Picture: Getty
Clegg on the campaign trail yesterday in the marginal Oxford West and Abingdon seat. Picture: Getty

The Liberal Democrat leader criticised the “opaque” nature of the current system and said prosecutors were relying on outdated laws in deciding whether journalists should go on trial.

Mr Clegg, speaking as he launched the Lib Dems’ election campaign in the knife-edge marginal Oxford West and Abingdon seat, he said he had been concerned about the way the law was being used for some time.

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He said: “I have long been concerned that the laws of the land are not clear enough on the public interest defence for journalists and other people who are covering information in the interests of the public.”

Mr Clegg added: “It’s just far too opaque, in too many of our laws, exactly what is the strength and nature of a public interest defence.

“I would like to see that clarified in law – my party has always advocated that. The fact that prosecutors are relying on 13th-century laws, that we don’t have an up-to-date definition of what a public interest defence is, shows the need for a proper review and a proper reform of the law in this area.”

His comments follow the quashing of the conviction by the Lord Chief Justice of the first journalist to be found guilty of paying a public official in the wake of the high-profile Operation Elveden probe.

The former News of the World reporter was handed a six-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of paying a prison officer for information at the Old Bailey last November.

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