Tory MP’s bill aims to stop the powerful using the law to stifle public debate

Bob Seely’s private member’s bill follows the failure of the government to introduce promised legislation. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/Rex/Shutterstock

Ministers are being urged to back a private member’s bill designed to penalise wealthy public figures who exploit the court system for “legalised intimidation” of investigative journalists, campaigners and watchdogs.

The bill, put forward by Conservative MP Bob Seely on Tuesday, is intended to put pressure on the government to move forward with its own promised legislation to tackle vexatious legal claims designed to silence debate on issues of public interest, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or Slapps.