I continue to be appalled at the lack of accountability around the SLAPP case that targeted me. If I can get sued for saying a warlord sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US for his role in Wagner is involved with Wagner then can we really say there's any protection for journalists in the UK from SLAPPs? - ThreadSky

eliothiggins.bsky.social • 10 days ago

I continue to be appalled at the lack of accountability around the SLAPP case that targeted me. If I can get sued for saying a warlord sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US for his role in Wagner is involved with Wagner then can we really say there's any protection for journalists in the UK from SLAPPs?

Reposted from Index on Censorship

The SRA discontinued @eliothiggins.bsky.social complaint against Discreet Law who represented the warlord Prigozhin. Too many questions remain, so that is why the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition has written to the regulator. Read the letter here: antislapp.uk/2025/03/28/q... #stopSLAPPs 1/3

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godsowncountry.bsky.social•10 days ago

We have a barrister PM with a huge majority. SLAPP legislation wouldn't just walk through the house, it should sprint.

Anyone who opposes tighter scrutiny would expose themselves for what they are, or who they are close to.

Would be a political test case for members of say...Reform.

stevepeers.bsky.social•10 days ago

Indeed his legal actions against the EU sanctions failed twice - once on the merits https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=260177&pageIndex=0&doclang=en&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=167274
and another one was inadmissible - https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=265184&pageIndex=0&doclang=FR&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=167274

workingmansecon.bsky.social•10 days ago

I think I'd probably file SLAPPS under reform of social care, wealth tax, renationalisation of water, and the repeal of anti trade union laws as things that Labour promised to sort out but had no intention of actually doing so.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•10 days ago

The most shocking part of the Solicitors Regulation Authority's reply to questions about their decision was the claim that "there was public speculation surrounding Mr Prigozhin’s connection with the Wagner Group", at a time he was sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US.
https://www.sra.org.uk/globalassets/documents/sra/news/baroness-stowell-beeston.pdf

fedoddy.bsky.social•10 days ago

Pretty shocking stuff must say. SRA failing spectacularly in their duty here

darknato.bsky.social•10 days ago

It's bizarre that this far into hybrid war and lawfare the UK hasn't enacted significant reforms on this issue. A future as Airstrip One looms.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•10 days ago

If being sanctioned for something is nothing more than mere "public speculation", what does it take for it not to be public speculation? A signed confession with the words "I done did Wagner"?

alexzfinley.bsky.social•10 days ago

😂

eliothiggins.bsky.social•10 days ago

Another point is I was sued for tweeting articles by Bellingcat, CNN, and Spiegel that contained those allegations, and leaked emails showed I was being targeted specifically, with no legal action taken against any of those publications.
https://antislapp.uk/2025/03/28/questions-unanswered-concerns-remain/

noltezeitgeist.bsky.social•8 days ago

We built CDAO for this exact reason... Would be happy to extend our coverage blanket if that is of interest.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•10 days ago

Many other questions remain about the SRA's response to the case, which I'm hoping they'll provide clear answers for. So far, their lack of transparency about their decision making process makes it more likely the same attack on journalists could occur again the UK, not less.

zeihanshair.bsky.social•9 days ago

I remember Simon Singh and the Guardian fighting those chiropractors 15 years ago, and everybody celebrating that an anti-SLAPP reform act came out of it. What happened?

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