REFORMS designed to end abuses of the libel laws which jeopardise freedom of speech could be on the statute book within months under a plan which is attracting cross-party support.

Lord Lester, the leading human rights barrister, is drawing up a defamation reform bill, which would prevent lawyers pocketing excessive fees and would also stop foreigners with tenuous links to this country from using British libel laws to silence critics.

A Sunday Times campaign has highlighted how the system has inhibited press freedom and stifled vital debate by scientists and academics. Last week Jack Straw, the justice secretary, signalled that Labour would support reform.

Lester, a Liberal Democrat peer who has been consulting senior figures in all parties, believes that his “moderate” package will secure widespread support and wants a package of proposals available for whoever wins the election. His bill would:

nReform the system of no-win no-fee litigation which makes it cheap for people to bring libel actions but expensive for publications to defend themselves.

nEnd the principle of “multiple publication” which means that internet sites can be sued over old, archived articles and instead introduce a “single publication rule” as in the United States.

nPrevent foreigners from suing in the British courts unless they can demonstrate that they have suffered real harm in Britain.

nGive publications a stronger defence against legal action if they can demonstrate that the article was in the public interest.

Lester said he also wanted to end the imposition of cash damages where someone successfully sues. Instead, he insisted that in most cases an apology from the publication should be enough.

“London is becoming the world centre for libel,” he said. “That is clearly wrong and must be brought to a halt.”

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