16 MAY 1981, Page 14

One hundred years ago

Mr Hutchinson's new Libel Bill, which passed its second reading on Wednesday, was formally accepted by the Attorney-General, and seems likely to pass. It extends the defence of privilege to all reports of public meetings, forbids a criminal action for libel without the consent of the AttorneyGeneral, and compels the publisher of any newspaper to register the proprietors' names. The Bill is considered moderate, but we should much rather see it reduced to the single clause requiring the fiat of the Attorney. General. Of course in Scotland there is no criminal action for libel, but then Scotchmen have a special dislike to paying damages.

Spectator 14 May 1880