§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure, when granting financial assistance to judges and other Crown servants to bring defamation proceedings, that there is equality of arms between the parties, given the absence of legal aid for defendants in such proceedings. [HL1407]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The proposed extension of the existing arrangements to the judiciary will provide for such assistance to be given in the public interest only in the most exceptional circumstances and following full and detailed consideration of the relevant factors (for instance, whether a retraction or apology has been sought), and only where there are no reasons why public funds cannot or should not be used to support the proceedings.