§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the offence of criminal libel under English law is compatible with the right to freedom of expression protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and, if so, what are their reasons for this view. [HL4283]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The offence of criminal libel is not in our view, in itself, incompatible with the right to freedom of expression. Depending on the circumstances, one or more of the exceptions in Article 10.2 of the European Convention on Human Rights may justify any interference with that right.