David Lammy has said the UK will go further to tackle abusive and spurious lawsuits aimed at silencing whistleblowers and journalists, raising the prospect of further legislation next year.

The deputy prime minister told campaigners and officials at the launch of the government’s anti-corruption strategy that he was determined to crack down on the practice known as Slapps – strategic lawsuits against public participation.

Excessive legal threats have been used in several cases in an attempt to silence reporting on Russian oligarchs, as well those who tried to expose the Post Office Horizon scandal, and allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed .

The Ministry of Justice said the first priority would be to action the limited provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2

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