UK laws criticised for encouraging 'libel tourism'

Too many people with no connection to the UK are suing for libel in English courts, according to a report from an influential parliamentary committee.

So-called 'libel tourism' is growing because in defamation cases lawyers often advise that the chances of success are greater in Britain than anywhere else.

The committee says 'libel tourism' is harming Britain's reputation as a home of free speech, as the BBC's Vincent Dowd reports.

To discuss what the report says about British law compared to other countries, Newshour brought together Nigel Tait, a partner at Carter Ruck, one of the big London law firms in this area and John Kampfner from Index on Censorship.

First broadcast 24 February 2010