Lib Dems to clash on privacy legislation

Liberal Democrat supporters of a privacy law are to mount a strong attempt to secure a policy commitment to legislation, in defiance of the party's high command.

The clash will come at the party's spring conference at Scarborough on Saturday, when speakers led by Jo Hayes, vice-chairman of Women Liberal Democrats, will seek to amend a federal policy committee approved paper ruling it out.

Chris Huhne, chairman of the press and broadcasting working group and a co-author of the paper, conceded yesterday that the vote would be tight.

The paper, A Free and Open Society, argues that a privacy law would place unacceptable restrictions on freedom of information.

It restricts proposed legal changes to a "carefully tailored civil offence of physical intrusion to prevent harassment of individuals by the media", incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law and in time a Bill of Rights, and a Freedom of Information Act.

It also argues for extending legal aid to libel claims, and creating a small claims service for libel and a new "offer of amends" defence. A "publication in good faith" defence should also be introduced in libel cases involving those seeking or holding public office.

Mr Huhne maintained that while a civil offence of physical intrusion would tilt the balance towards individuals and against the tabloid "doorstep" journalists, a privacy law would tilt the balance against investigative reporters.