Labour delays proposals to ban oppressive Slapps lawsuits

The Royal Courts of Justice in London. Frederick Ponsonby says Labour supports principle behind the bill that would ban spurious lawsuits brought by oligarchs and others. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

Labour has delayed proposals to tackle spurious lawsuits brought by oligarchs and others aimed at intimidating journalists, academics and campaigners.

Frederick Ponsonby, a Labour justice minister in the House of Lords, said he could not commit to bringing forward standalone legislation on strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, or set out a timetable for tackling the issue.