Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Privacy law plan 'ruled out'

James Tapsfield,Pa
Thursday 19 May 2011 16:34 BST
Comments

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 coalition has decided against introducing a Privacy Act to address concerns over injunctions, sources said today.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Justice Secretary Ken Clarke are understood to have ruled the option out at a meeting.

Instead, ministers will consider producing more detailed guidance for judges to interpret the Human Rights Act.

The controversy over gagging orders intensified further today when a Liberal Democrat peer used parliamentary privilege to disclose details of an injunction obtained by the former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Sir Fred Goodwin.

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said he is "uneasy" about the increasing use of such restrictions on the media, and called for MPs to debate the principles at stake.

Earlier this week Mr Clarke hinted that new legislation could be on the agenda.

"We will consider these matters and indeed it is probably right to say that Parliament passing a Privacy Act might well be the best way of resolving it," he told the Commons.

But Mr Clarke is now said to have agreed with Mr Hunt that "adding another layer of bureaucracy" was not the best way of tackling the issue.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in