Parliamentary Privilege (Defamation) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Repeals section 13 of the Defamation Act 1996, altering the defamation framework as it relates to Parliament.
• Targets how parliamentary privilege and defamation interact, rather than creating new rights or penalties.
• Introduced in the Lords and currently at the second reading, i.e., early stage of debate.
• Short, targeted legislation accompanied by explanatory material to clarify its purpose and effect.
• If it moves forward, it will proceed to committee stage in the Lords, then third reading, and may progress to the House of Commons.

Progress

The bill is at the Lords' second reading. It will next move to committee stage and, if supported, proceed to the later stages in the Lords and on to the House of Commons.