'Scientists and specialists who question medical treatments and alternative therapies are being gagged by firms using Britain’s draconian libel laws.'

'Sir Ken Macdonald, the former director of public prosecutions, called for legislative reform.
“The idea that we are becoming an international haven for people to attack scientists is something that we should not be proud of,” he said. It was “shameful” that a US drug company could sue a doctor in Britain for criticising a treatment while it would not countenance taking similar legal action in America.'

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6917365.ece

'Imagine a country in which citizens are barred from reading American newspapers and books and from accessing international websites. Scientists and writers are hauled before the courts and threatened with massive damages even if their supposed crime was committed elsewhere and even if they were expressing legitimate views. It sounds like a repressive totalitarian regime but it is modern-day Britain.'

'Britain’s restrictions on freedom of speech are gaining notoriety. The United Nations human rights committee has said our libel laws discourage serious reporting on matters of legitimate public interest and prevent scholars and journalists from publishing.'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6917242.ece

'Libel tourism isn’t just a matter for the media elite. Freedom of speech for everyone is in danger'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6910168.ece