The Ministry of Justice has announced it will publish a draft Defamation Bill for consultation in the new year, with a view to introducing a bill in the next parliamentary session.

Justice minister Lord McNally outlined the government’s plans to review the law on defamation to protect freedom of speech and freedom of expression today, during the second reading of the private member’s bill on defamation introduced last month by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Lester.

McNally said: ‘Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy. We need investigative journalism and scientific research to be able to flourish without the fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and libel cases being brought against them.

‘We are committed to reforming the law on defamation and want to focus on ensuring that a right and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation,’ he said.

McNally said Lester’s private member’s bill had ‘greatly assisted’ the government’s thinking on the matter.

‘We will now move ahead with a draft government bill with all due urgency,’ he said.