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Gray-Hilton libel case struck out while bloggers emphasise again the need for libel reform

23rd July 2010


At the High Court this afternoon, blogger and political activist Johanna Kaschke had her libel case against fellow bloggers John Gray and Alex Hilton struck out as ‘an abuse of process’. Interim costs were awarded to Gray and Hilton. Kaschke has said that she will be appealing the decision.

Speaking after the hearing, Robert Dougans, who formally represented Alex Hilton, said: “This decision is good news for bloggers. The judge’s decision to strike out the claim on the grounds that the claimant was likely to achieve minimal if any damages shows that the court will take a firm line against Claimants whose reputation has essentially suffered no damage.

However, it took three years and a lot of money to get to this stage. This is not the fault of the courts, it is the fault of the law. Until we have a proper public interest defence, these cases can still cause a great deal of aggravation to bloggers and writers.”

This is the second time Kaschke has had a libel case struck out this year. In May her case against blogger David Osler was also struck out, again as an abuse of process.  Although these cases have resulted in victory for Gray, Hilton and Osler, Hilton and Osler have both spoken about the stress and loss of earnings which have accompanied their trials, and the absolute need for reform of the libel laws.

You can read more about the background to the Gray-Hilton case at Jack of Kent’s blogs here, and Osler’s case here.

 

    Last updated: July 23 2010

Government announces libel reform Bill

9th July 2010


Watch the second reading debate of Lord Lester of Herne Hill's Private Member's Defamation Bill from the House of Lords, where the Government made the announcement here.


Justice Minister Lord McNally announced during the second reading debate of Lord Lester of Herne Hill's Private Members Defamation Bill that the Government will publish a Bill to reform the libel laws early in the new year. It will focus on freedom of speech and protection of public interest debate. McNally stated the Government is firmly committed to legislation on a statutory public interest defense and the multiple publication rule. He said the Government has "a firm commitment to action."

The Libel Reform Campaign, reports from the Ministry of Justice and the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee and senior judiciary have made the case for reform clear. The laws as they stand are unfair, unduly costly, out of date and against the public interest.


  • 90% of libel cases in England and Wales are won by claimants
  • Taking a case here costs 140 times the European average
  • The multiple publication rule dating from 1849 means online writers and archives are vulnerable to libel threats
  • In a survey of GPs, half said they do not discuss drug safety because of fear of a libel suit


John Kampfner, CEO Index on Censorship said: "Today the government listened to the 52,000 people who backed the English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science campaign to redesign our libel laws and have committed, for the first time in a century, to wholesale reform. We are delighted, but obviously we'll need to see how bold the government will be - they must stop libel tourism, cut the obscene legal costs involved and give cast iron protections to free speech."

Jonathan Heawood, English PEN said: "Until the Libel Reform Bill is actually passed, the right to free speech in this country will be conditional on writers or scientists having deep pockets or a willingness to fight for years through the Courts. It should no longer be a matter for judges but Parliamentarians should decide on how we balance free expression and reputation."

Tracey Brown, Sense About Science said: "Lord Lester's Bill is the first time in over a century that there has been a case for fundamental reform before Parliament. We are delighted that the Government has responded. The Libel Reform Campaign, supported by over 50,000 people and many leading commentators, will continue doing all we can to ensure that the Minister's response to the debate today is translated into meaningful change in the lives of bloggers, science writer, NGOs and small publications facing threats and bankruptcy under the current laws."

Science writer Simon Singh, who was sued for libel in 2008 said: "Today's Government's commitment to change the law by the next parliament will be welcomed by everyone who currently feels gagged by the libel law, including doctors, science journalists and academic journals. Honest and hardworking writers currently face ruin if they dare defend themselves from threats of libel action, because the libel law is so complicated, costly and unfair. Hence, those who have important information, criticisms and concerns don't dare to publish and are silenced. Today the Government appeared to recognise the problem and in particular made a solid commitment to a public interest defence."


Press Coverage:

The Guardian Libel law reform bill pledge

The BBC Government announces review of libel laws

The Independent Libel law reform to protect free expression

The Independent Government promises reform of libel laws

The Telegraph Britain's 'draconian' libel laws to be reformed

The Daily Mail New libel laws to protect freedom of the Press

Nature blog UK government promises to reform libel laws

journalism.co.uk Government to lead libel reform with new Defamation Bill

politics.co.uk Libel reform coming 'by the autumn'

Press Gazette Defamation Bill: Delight as Government indicates support


    Last updated: July 12 2010

Lester libel bill published

The Government announce their own bill for libel reform

Justice Minister Lord McNally announced today that the Government will publish a Bill to reform the libel laws early in the new year. Watch the second reading debate of Lord Lester of Herne Hill's Private Member's Defamation Bill from the House of Lords, where the Government made the announcement, on Friday 9th July here.

Read Lord Lester's Defamation Bill here.

Read Lord Lester's explanatory notes to his Defamation Bill here


Lord Lester's Defamation Bill is the first attempt in over a century to redraft libel laws that are unfair, internationally criticised and against the public interest. Our libel laws are unnecessarily complicated and unduly costly, defences are uncertain and narrow and the laws haven't kept up with the information age. They are damaging freedom of expression and the open exchange of information worldwide.

John Kampfner, CEO Index on Censorship said: "Today the government listened to the 52,000 people who backed the English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science campaign to redesign our libel laws and have committed, for the first time in a century, to wholesale reform. We are delighted, but obviously we’ll need to see how bold the government will be – they must stop libel tourism, cut the obscene legal costs involved and give cast iron protections to free speech."

Jonathan Heawood, English PEN said: "Until the Libel Reform Bill is actually passed, the right to free speech in this country will be conditional on writers or scientists having deep pockets or a willingness to fight for years through the Courts. It should no longer be a matter for judges but Parliamentarians should decide on how we balance free expression and reputation."

Tracey Brown, Sense About Science said: "Lord Lester's Bill is the first time in over a century that there has been a case for fundamental reform before Parliament. We are delighted that the Government has responded. The Libel Reform Campaign, supported by over 50,000 people and many leading commentators, will continue doing all we can to ensure that the Minister's response to the debate today is translated into meaningful change in the lives of bloggers, science writer, NGOs and small publications facing threats and bankruptcy under the current laws."

Science writer Simon Singh, who was sued for libel in 2008 said: "Today's Government commitment to change the law by the next parliament will be welcomed by everyone who currently feels gagged by the libel law, including doctors, science journalists and academic journals. Honest and hardworking writers currently face ruin if they dare defend themselves from threats of libel action, because the libel law is so complicated, costly and unfair. Hence, those who have important information, criticisms and concerns don’t dare to publish and are silenced. Today the Government appeared to recognise the problem and in particular made a solid commitment to a public interest defence."


The libel laws have been exposed as unjust

English PEN and Index on Censorship's Free Speech is not For Sale report made 10 recommendations for fairer laws; the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee report on Press Standards Privacy and Libel called for far reaching reforms; a Ministry of Justice report said the law needs reforming in the public interest.


There is a public outcry about the chill on free speech

Over 500 commentators, comedians, poets and authors have spoken out and over 52,000 people have signed the libel reform campaign petition. Fifty organisations including Royal Medical Colleges, human rights NGOs, medical and science bodies, authors, bloggers, publishers and media and law organisations have called for reform. Hundreds of people have reported threats of libel action leading them to remove articles, blogs, reviews, academic papers, reports and books. Vital issues of public interest are affected including drug safety, human rights abuses and corporate behaviour.


There is widespread Parliamentary support for reform. The majority of eligible MPs signed up to an EDM supporting libel law reform.


There were general election manifesto commitments to reform the libel laws from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour.


There is a coalition Government promise to reform the libel laws.


Now it's time to change the law!


In light of Lord Lester's Bill, the Libel Reform Campaign is asking: will the Government now make clear its plans for reform? Will it support, adopt or develop this Bill?


Jonathan Heawood Director, English PEN said: "The current libel laws give international bullies licence to silence criticism. Until we have a clear public interest defence human rights activists, NGOs, authors, publishers, scientists and bloggers will continue to be threatened and sued."

John Kampfner Chief Executive, Index on Censorship said: "There have been piecemeal reforms to our libel laws before but the big problems have not been resolved. The Duke of Brunswick ruling predates the lightbulb, but is still in use today to silence online debate. That is why we welcome this attempt to modernise the libel laws for the internet age."

Tracey Brown Managing Director, Sense About Science said: "With every week that passes, we are contacted by yet more writers and researchers who have been threatened with libel action. In the face of high costs and weak defences, they withdraw their articles, hold back their material from public discussion and, in the end, stop asking vital questions of public interest. Lord Lester's Bill should be considered urgently by the Government."

Dr Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat former MP who chaired the cross-party group for manifesto commitments for libel reform said: "Libel law reform is needed to prevent the chilling of comment which is in the public interest. It is therefore essential for scientists and academics and giving their opinion in good faith and responsibly, and their publishers, to know at the time of publication that they will have an effective defence against an unjustified libel plaintiff. Lord Lester's skilfully crafted bill is one way of doing that and also offers the Government a vehicle for legislation following their review."


Media Coverage

The Times Libel must be rebalanced in the scales of justice

The Today program Interview with Anthony Lester

The Telegraph Reform of our libel law is long overdue

Times leader article Redressing the Balance

The Times Lord Lester publishes bill to reform "archaic" libel laws

The Daily Mail Peer's plan to shake up our costly libel industry

The Sunday Times Free speech - the gloves are off

The Sunday Times Time to pick up the pace on libel reform

The Guardian Libel reform forces its way up the political agenda

Radio 4 Thought for the Day

The Independent Plans to reform 'archaic' libel laws published

Times Higher Education Lib Dem peer to launch libel reform bill

The Guardian John Kampfner v Korieh Duodu

The Economist Improving a reputation: England's strict libel laws face a shake-up

The Guardian Lester publishes his libel reform bill - now what happens?

New Scientist Libel reform is on track in UK

Politics.co.uk Opening salvo fired in libel reform battle

Press Association Peer in move to reform libel laws

Nature online Lord Lester looks to limit libel litigation

Journalism.co.uk Lord Lester's libel reform bill goes before parliament

The Associated Press British lawmaker proposes libel law reform bill

The Seattle Times British lawmaker proposes libel law reform bill


    Last updated: July 12 2010

Comedians, Scientists, journalists and editors tell us why they have signed up for libel reform.


Jonathan Ross, Broadcaster: “The time is now to change these archaic libel laws unless you like the idea of returning to the Dark Ages. Let’s free scientists and journalists to report the truth about science and medicine. You know it makes sense.”


Nick Cohen, Journalist: “In its exorbitant costs and institutional bias, the English libel law is the greatest restriction on our right to freedom of expression. Unless we reform it, intelligent debate in this country will wither.”


Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Surrey, Author and Broadcaster: “At a time when scientific honesty and transparency are in the headlines, it is vital that we can all freely question, probe and scrutinize claims that affect society.”


Roy Greenslade, Journalist: “I welcome all pressure that is being applied to Government to reform the iniquitous libel laws. We have delayed too long.”


Professor Raymond Tallis: “I think the public must now know that they should be afraid, very afraid,  of the way the libel laws are being used to suppress challenges to dangerous and fraudulent scientific claims.”


Roger Highfield, Editor, New Scientist: “England’s libel laws mean that even people striving to be even handed, for instance in discussing the scientific evidence backing a medical therapy, there’s a chilling atmosphere of fear and uncertainty because of the extraordinary expense of having to defend an action. The biggest losers are the public interest, and most importantly, people’s health. We must defend the freedom of scientists, researchers and journalists to engage in robust criticism of scientific and pseudoscientific work. It is high time politicians reformed the law. This will only come if campaigners maintain the momentum for reform during the forthcoming British general election and beyond.”


Dara O Briain, Performer and Author: “The English libel laws were supposed to support the principles of decency and fair play that this country has always aspired to. Nowadays though, those values have been dangerously reversed.

Is it fair play that multinational companies can use the laws to suppress commentary and criticism?

Is it fair play that foreign libel tourists can use the English laws to quash dissent in their own countries?

Is it fair play that there is no defence of “public interest” so that important scientific matters, such as public health or dubious medical practices, cannot be properly debated?

Is it fair play that the cost of a libel case in England is 140 times the cost in mainland Europe?

For journalists, performers, scientists and writers, the libel laws in England are becoming a dangerous joke”.


Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire and Author: England’s libel laws and high legal costs can deter individuals from speaking out against bad science. They should be reformed to help ensure the public get the whole story.”


Ben Goldacre, medical doctor and Bad Science columnist: “Laws that stifle debate harm patients, because in medicine we have seen repeatedly that people can do great harm, even when they intend to do good. So we can’t just tolerate criticism of our ideas and practises: we must welcome it, because criticism is the only way that our ideas and practises improve.”


Mark Le Fanu, Society of Authors: “Authors - particularly those who write biographies of the living or on current affairs - worry a great deal about the risk of being sued for libel as the law is so favourable to claimants. ‘If in doubt, leave it out’ is an unhealthy maxim that authors feel bound to follow. As the law is known to be so helpful to claimants, opportunistic - sometimes wildly extravagant - claims are made by those who can afford to engage lawyers. Authors and publishers feel under pressure to capitulate, regardless of the strength of their case, knowing that defending a libel action is vastly expensive, hugely time-consuming, very worrying and highly unpredictable. That is why we support the campaign to reform the law of libel.”


Natasha Loder, The Economist and President, Association of British Science Writers: “Censorship doesn’t start in the courtroom, it doesn’t start with your editor, it doesn’t even start in the pen, it starts in my brain. The difficulty and cost of defending a libel case mean I am not able to write the truth, which has to be wrong.”


Mark Lewis, Media Lawyer: “Doctors should not be afraid of lawyers, lawyers should be afraid of doctors”


Stephen Fry, Broadcaster and Author: “A country with Britain’s history of ancient liberties should be celebrating its part in the development of democracy around the world: instead we cringe with embarrassment at archaic, unfair and illiberal laws on libel that make us a global laughing stock. From true free speech flow cultural richness, political liberty and wider prosperities. Instead, our current laws can be manipulated to protect the corrupt and to hide the truth. They are threatening to throttle the life out of our traditions of openness and freedom and to betray all those who fought over the centuries to keep us free.”


 

    Last updated: May 24 2010

Launch of the Libel Reform Campaign

In December 2009, Sense About Science, Index on Censorship and English PEN launched the Libel Reform Campaign.

Sign the petition at www.libelreform.org


Over 20 000 people signed the Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign after its launch in June 2009 to protest against the silencing of critical discussion, medical practice and scientific evidence.

In December 2009, English PEN and Index on Censorship wrote the ‘Free Speech Is Not For Sale’ report to look at the impact of English libel law on freedom of expression.


Our three organisations joined together in December 2009 as a coalition to campaign for major libel law reform.


On Wednesday 9th December 2009, comedians, scientists and journalists came together at the Law Society to tell the public to sign a petition, calling on politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws in the interest of fairness and free speech. They highlighted that for the first time in over a century we have an opportunity to change our unfair and repressive libel laws.










Watch Dara O Briain, Dave Gorman, Professor Ray Tallis, Simon Singh, Nick Ross and many others sign the libel reform petition at our launch event here.

On Thursday 10th December 2009, academics, editors, human rights activists and writers went to Parliament to tell MPs and Peers what the public don’t get to hear under the English libel laws. They spoke about the impacts of English libel laws on academic integrity, and its chilling effect on medical and scientific debate and discussion.


Sign petition at www.libelreform.org


Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science: “We have to show politicians that small tinkering with the libel laws won’t do - we need a real public interest defence. Otherwise, there will be more cases like those against Simon Singh and Peter Wilmshurst, and the libel laws will continue to be the tools of well-funded bullies who want to silence criticism.”

Jonathan Heawood, Director of English PEN: “Our libel laws allow people accused of funding terrorism or dumping toxic waste in Africa to silence their critics whilst ‘super-injunctions’ stop the public from even knowing that such allegations exist. We need to reform our libel laws now, and that’s why we’re launching a national campaign to persuade our politicians to do so.”

John Kampfner, the CEO of Index on Censorship: “If we don’t act we’re at risk of becoming a global pariah. There are US States who view English libel law as so damaging to free speech they have passed laws to effectively block the decisions of English judges. Our report is an important milestone in modernising our antiquated and chilling approach to free expression.”


Read why these comedians, scientists and editors signed up for libel reform here.


Read some of our volunteers telling us why they wanted to help on the campaignhere.


Press Coverage:National Petition for Libel Law Reform

Guardian Online Keep up demand for libel reform

Daily Mail Death of free speech: Is Britain becoming the censorship capital of the world?

The Sunday Times My week: Simon Singh

Solicitors Journal Power of the pen

New Statesman Campaign spotlight: Libel bashing

The Daily Politics Comedian Robin Ince on libel laws in England and Wales

The Sunday Times Libel laws stifle jokes by Alexei Sayle and Ricky Gervais

The Observer My week: Simon Singh

The Guardian Take on the libel bullies

BBC NEWS Comic Dara O Briain says libel laws ‘quash dissent’

The Times  Scientists urge reform of ‘lethal’ libel law

The Mirror Dara O Briain wants libel law reform

The Independent Comic Dara O’Briain lambasts ‘bully’ libel law.

THE UCL provost: libel law is stifling academic freedoms

New Scientist blog Campaign to reform English libel law launched

Press Gazette Libel law can kill - reform it now.

Press Association Dara O’Briain wants libel reform


    Last updated: May 24 2010

Victory for blogger Dave Osler two years on does not mean the libel laws work

13th May 2010


Today, the libel case of blogger Dave Osler was struck out of the High Court by Mr Justice Eady, two years after the case started. In 2008 Osler wrote a blog about Johanna Kaschke, a local political activist and a then member of the party Respect. Osler summarised one of Ms Kaschke’s own blogposts, and linked to it twice. Everything in the blog could be sourced and checked against what she had written herself.

Ms Kaschke complained and Osler took down his blog. He offered Ms Kaschke a right of reply, she refused. Ms Kaschke’s own blog was later deleted too. A year and three weeks after Osler’s original blogpost was published, Ms Kaschke sued Osler for libel, in respect of the blogpost and the comments posted on it too. As Ms Kaschke’s own blogpost had been deleted, this left Osler with no frame of reference, and Ms Kaschke maintained that she has no copy either. Read Jack of Kent’s blog here for more details:

Robert Dougans (solicitor for Simon Singh) and David Allen Green took on Dave Osler’s case on a pro bono basis. Robert Dougans argued in April 2010 before Mr Justice Eady that Ms Kaschke’s claims should be struck out as (1) an abuse of process, as what Osler had written was so close to what Ms Kaschke’s own blogpost has said (2) as being outside the year limitation period allowed to bring libel actions, and (3) because the right of reply offered should have been the end of the matter.

The ruling from Mr Justice Eady today took all these arguments into account and Ms Kaschke’s case was conclusively struck out.


Robert Dougans, Bryan Cave LLP. lawyer for Dave Osler said:

“This is one of the very few times a “Jameel” argument has succeeded in striking out a case as an abuse of process. Today, Mr Justice Eady accepted our argument that if the case was to go ahead “the game was not worth the candle” given what Ms Kaschke had been willing to put into the public domain herself. The case is also helpful for bloggers and the online media as it shows that publication has to be proved in respect of old postings in the archives - it will not be inferred without direct evidence.

This decision nudges the law in the right direction - safeguarding writers and bloggers against threats in respect of old material or material already in the public domain. However, it did take a lot of time and effort to sort this case out. Until we get a proper public interest defence, we can’t be confident more bloggers won’t be dragged before the courts.”


We need libel reform now.

Add your voice for libel reform at www.libelreform.org



See photos and videos from the judgement here

www.robertsharp.co.uk See photos here

Don’t get fooled again Watch video here

Observance See photos here

 

    Last updated: July 22 2010

How criminal defamation laws are being used to silence scientists in some countries

In many other countries defamation is a criminal offence and imprisonment is a possible sentence. In England and Wales, libel is a civil offence, but criminal defamation laws still existed in the UK until 2009. Repressive regimes use the existence of criminal defamation laws in developing countries as justification for their own criminal defamation laws. The enormous ‘chilling effect’ on media freedom of seeing fellow journalists behind bars is evident.  English PEN, Index on censorship and Article 19 campaigned to repeal the criminal defamation laws from UK laws, to act as a example for the decriminalisation of defamation.

 

Decriminalisation of defamation is not an end in itself, but it should be a means to an end: uninhibited public debate in the media on any controversial issues.

Ref:  Freedom from Fear, Ilia Dohel. Index on Censorship, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2009 Read here


Case study of the use of criminal defamation in Peru

 

A Peruvian scientist, Dr Ernesto Bustamante, has recently been convicted for character defamation in Peru and could face prison time. He gave press interviews and wrote a newspaper article disagreeing with the results of another Peruvian scientist who was claiming that local maize varieties were contaminated with transgenes.See here.

Dr Bustamante will not be formally sentenced for a year, but in the meantime he must do the following or risk imprisonment:

 

1) not leave Lima without a judge’s permission; 2) present himself on the last day of every month to the court to sign a register; 3) pay the defendant approx. 1800 US dollars in damages.

A fuller account of this story can be read in a news piece in Nature Biotechnology here. (N.B. a Nature account is needed to read this).

 

Dr Bustamante has a few days left to present a writ with his formal appeal, after which a Tribunal of the Superior Court of Lima will revise his case. The tribunal will decide whether to declare the judge’s decision null in which case Bustamante will be acquitted, to uphold the judge’s decision in which case the three original conditions imposed will start to apply, or to declare a mis-trial. (This would only happen if the tribunal decided that Bustamante deserves formal sentencing and a new trial would be ordered).

To show your support for Dr Bustamante, please sign this petition here.

To read more on English PEN, Index on Censorship and Article 19’s efforts to have the UK offences of seditious libel and criminal defamation repealed (as happened in 2009), see:

Human Rights HouseUK government abolishes seditious libel and criminal defamation

The GuardianWord crime

    Last updated: May 13 2010

The Story So Far - Sense About Science and libel law reform


After launching the Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign in June 2009, Sense About Science drew over 20 000 signatories to protest against the silencing of critical discussion, medical practice and scientific evidence. In November 2009, we joined English PEN and Index on Censorship, authors of the 'Free Speech Is Not For Sale' report in a coalition to campaign for major libel law reform.

The Libel Reform Campaign takes over from the work we have been doing to Keep Libel Laws out of Science. England's libel laws are unjust, against the public interest and internationally criticised - there is urgent need for reform. For the first time in over a century we have an opportunity to change our unfair and repressive libel laws. We are calling on politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, in the interests of fairness and free speech.

See our timeline of key events from the campaign and read about science writer Simon Singh's case against the British Chiropractic Association. Click on boxes to find out more.

Add your voice atwww.libelreform.org


This timeline shows key events from the Keep Libel Laws Out of Science campaign and the Libel Reform Campaign, as well as milestones from science writer Simon Singh's case against the British Chiropractic Association. Click on boxes to find out more, and to see photos, videos, and media coverage from each of the different events.


Sense About Science launches Keep Libel Laws out of Science

June 2009


BCA V Singh

Simon Singh's statement on the background to his case

The World Conference of Science Journalists

July 2009

Simon Singh's application turned down by Court of Appeal

August 2009


Simon Singh to apply again to Court of Appeal for oral hearing

Richard Dawkins Addresses the Liberal Democrat Annual Party Conference

September 2009


The Liberal Democrats commit to libel reform

 

The Association of British Science Writers annual lecture

October 2009


Simon Singh is granted permission to appeal

Free Speech is Not For Sale report published


November 2009


Jack Straw acknowledges need for libel reform

 


Launch of Coalition for Libel Reform


December 2009

Panel for Simon Singh's appeal announced
Nick Clegg addresses Royal Society on libel

January 2010


Jack Straw announces plans to reduce costs of libel laws

 


CMS Report 'Press Standards, Privacy and Libel'

February 2010


Simon Singh's appeal hearing


Big Libel Week


March 2010


Prof. Lacerda addresses MPs on libel chill

 

The Big Libel Gig

 

Mass Lobby of Parliament

 

Labour Party commits to libel reform

 
Conservatives commit to libel reform

April 2010


Simon Singh appeal successful
Three major parties commit to libel reform in manifestos
 
The BCA drop their case against Simon Singh

Parliamentary Early Day Motion for libel reform closes

 

Free Speech Election Hustings

 

    Last updated: May 26 2010

The Big Libel Gig

Big names in UK comedy, science and politics come together on stage to tell us that England's libel laws have become a dangerous joke.


The Big Libel Gig was held on Sunday 14 March 2010 at the London’s Palace Theatre to raise funds to support the Coalition for Libel Reform. An eclectic line-up of performers and speakers, including Dara O Briain, Tim Minchin, Marcus Brigstocke, Robin Ince, Ed Byrne, Shappi Khorsandi, Professor Brian Cox, Simon Singh, Professor Richard Wiseman, Dr Peter Wilmshurst and Dr Ben Goldacre performed before a packed audience to highlight the issue of libel reform.


The Big Libel Gig was the brainchild of comedian Robin Ince who hosted the evening, and science author and broadcaster Simon Singh, who spoke frankly about the impact of libel fears on scientific debate.










Stars of the show told the audience that England’s unjust libel laws are preventing free speech and open criticism of big corporations and powerful institutions. They called for others to support the campaign for a public interest defence and join them in signing the petition for libel reform at www.libelreform.org. The Big Libel Gig culminated Libel Reform Week, to raise awareness of English libel laws and urge political parties to commit to major reforms before the election, in the interests of fairness, the public interest and free speech.

Funds raised from The Big Libel Gig have been donated to the Coalition for Libel Reform, established by the charities Index on Censorship, English PEN and Sense About Science.












Videos and audio from the event

Interviews with Nick Coen, Shappi Khorsandi and Dara O’Briain backstage Watch here

Ariane Sherine performs the Simon Singh song back stage at the Big Libel Gig Watch here

Tim Minchin backstage at the Big Libel Gig Watch here

Richard Wiseman backstage at the Big Libel Gig Watch here

Ben Goldacre backstage at the Big Libel Gig Watch here

Robin Ince on the Daily Politics Show talking about why he organised the Big Libel Gig Watch here

Little Atoms Podcast of the Big Libel Gig Listen here

The Sly and Reggie Song Listen here


Coverage from the event

The Guardian Robin Ince: Why I’m backing Simon Singh and reform of English libel law

Press Gazette Comedians boost libel reform with benefit gig

 

    Last updated: May 06 2010

Closure of HRH’s Foundation

Following the closure of The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health, Ellen Raphael, Director UK, Sense About Science said: “If this marks the end of an organisation that for 20 years has been the vehicle for the Prince of Wales’ interference in policy and restricted the development of evidence-based medicine, then the public has everything to gain, however this has come about.”

Dr Ben Goldacre, writer, broadcaster, and medical doctor said:“They leave a legacy of quackery, fraud, and a bizarre vendetta against Professor Ernst.”

Dr Simon Baker, veterinary surgeon said: “It was good of the FIH to share with the world their long-standing decision to close down on the last day when their overdue accounts should have been submitted and a few days after some of its staff were arrested for fraud.”

Les Rose, clinical research specialist said:“The end of the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health will be welcomed by supporters of evidence based medicine, but will the closure avoid accountability for the millions of pounds in public and charitable funding that went into it? What is there to show for this? A steadfast refusal to face scientific facts, a useless regulation scheme for charlatans, and a stream of misleading publications and conferences. Good value for money? I think not.”

Read the statement from the FIH here

    Last updated: May 04 2010

All three major parties commit to libel reform in their general election manifestos

15th April 2010


The Labour Party: “To encourage freedom of speech and access to information, we will bring forward new legislation on libel to protect the right of defendants to speak freely.”


The Conservative Party:“We will review and reform libel laws to protect freedom of speech, reduce costs and discourage libel tourism.”


The Liberal Democrat Party: “We will protect free speech, investigative journalism and academic peer-reviewed publishing through reform of the English and Welsh libel laws - including by requiring corporations to show damage and prove malice or recklessness, and by providing a robust responsible journalism defence.”

    Last updated: April 29 2010

Making Sense of Statistics

This guide is not a lesson in statistics. It provides the questions to ask and identifies the pitfalls to avoid, to help us get behind news stories that use statistics - stories like “Diabetes drug raises death risk by 60pc”, “Gender pay gap still as high as 50%” and “Polls puts Tories up to 7% ahead”. Dismissing all statistics as just ‘lies’ does not help us get to grips with a story. By working through the points in the guide we can find out what they really mean. The four main points to look out for:

  1. Remember, when statistics are quoted they are just the answer to the particular question that was asked. The first step to understanding the statistic is knowing what this question was and how it was asked. We can then ask where the results came from (for example, a survey, a trial, administrative data or a projection), how the samples were chosen and how the figures were analysed.
  2. The results of studies are commonly captured in a single figure, but this figure will not represent everything that the study might have found. The common pitfalls to be aware of are: there is more than one type of average, extreme values might not be very likely and big, and small, numbers are difficult to comprehend without the context. Most of us don’t use millions and billions in our daily lives so by dividing them by the number of items they relate to we can make large numbers more meaningful.
  3. A mathematical association, even if statistically significant, is not a certainty that one thing is causing another. Finding out what the confidence interval is for a result can give us an idea of how sure we are of the conclusions we have drawn. Confidence intervals give the scale of potential uncertainties in counting, measuring and observing data.
  4. There are many alarming newspapers headlines about risk, its increase or decrease in relation to a particular factor. To understand the importance of any increase or decrease we need to know both the absolute and relative change and how large the risk was to begin with.

For the full guide please download the PDF from the right hand column.

For hard copies please email publications@senseaboutscience.org


Help us get this to every MP by donating at www.justgiving.com/makingsenseofstatistics


29th April 2010:  Statisticians, journalists and scientists today launch Making Sense of Statistics, a guide that provides a few questions you can ask and outlines the pitfalls to look out for when weighing up claims that use statistics. Making Sense of Statistics is published by Sense About Science and Straight Statistics in collaboration with the Royal Statistical Society.

Alongside Making Sense of Statistics a short guide on Making Sense of Statistics in an Election is also released. With just a week to go until the polls the guide gives four points to keep in mind as you read the manifesto pledges, watch the final televised debate and decipher the campaign promises.

From contributors:

Leonor Sierra, Science and Policy Manager, Sense About Science: “While statistics are sometimes hyped and sensationalized, they can also test and debunk arguments. Knowing the questions to ask and the pitfalls to avoid helps us to work out whether the figures in the headlines matter to our lives and to society, from health screening to the economy.”

Nigel Hawkes, Director, Straight Statistics: “Statistics help to make sense of a confusing world. But the sheer number and variety of statistics also provide great opportunities for misrepresentation or selective quotation. Getting canny about these tricks should be part of everybody’s armoury.”

David Spiegelhalter,Winton Professor of Public Understanding of Risk, University of Cambridge: “We shouldn’t just accept the numbers we’re told as absolute truths, but ask where the evidence comes from, what it relates to, and even what we’re not being told. Numbers can’t tell us everything, but by understanding a bit about statistics, uncertainty and probability we can look critically at stories in the news.”

Michael Blastland, writer and broadcaster: “Taking numbers for granted is naive - you become a sucker for spin. But treating them all as so many lies, turning away in cynicism, is to give up on every political, economic or social argument you follow, every public cause you love or hate. The middle way is the only way: to learn how numbers work.”

Andrew Garratt, Press and Public Affairs Officer, Royal Statistical Society: “A great many of the decisions we make - or are made for us by government - are underpinned by statistics. Knowing more about how they work helps us to make better decisions and hold government accountable to the public.”

Simon Briscoe, Statistics Editor, Financial Times: “The advent of widely available, good quality data is a new phenomenon. Its impact on the way we live will be just as great as the internet or mobile communications. If you don’t ‘get it’ and know how to use it, your quality of life and understanding of the world around you will suffer. And it is fun to have the insights into our world that numbers offer.”

Christina Pagel, senior research fellow, Clinical Operational Research Unit, UCL:  “I think that decisions on how to use modern scientific advances, whether in health, cutting edge technology or the environment are so important that everyone in society should have a say. To do this, we all need to be informed and to understand how to interpret the scientific evidence presented so that we’re not unfairly influenced by those presenting the data.”

Shaun Treweek, senior lecturer at the School of Medicine, University of Dundee: “Numbers and statistics can help people to make informed decisions about what tablets to take, what food to eat, or what car to buy but they need to be handled with care because they can also be misleading.  This booklet should make writing about, or reading about, statistics and numbers a little bit easier.  That has to be a good thing.”

    Last updated: June 23 2010

The general election 2010 Free Speech hustings


The Libel Reform Campaign hosted the general election 2010 Free Speech hustings at the Free Word Centre on Wednesday 21st April 2010. Places at the event were quickly filled and we organised satellite events in London, Nottingham and Liverpool.











We started the evening with a round up of the campaign so far and a reminder to everyone there - supporters and politicians - of the need to keep pushing for reform in the weeks and months ahead. John Kampfner of Index on Censorship introduced the speakers and started the debate. The speakers were Evan Harris (Liberal Democrats), Dominic Grieve (Conservatives) and Michael Wills (Labour).

All three speakers acknowledged that as a result of our campaign it was clear that the libel laws had a negative impact on free expression and there is a need for a public interest defence. They all agreed that libel law reform is necessary and pressing and on the need to protect scientific discussions from libel chill. What form the reform should take and how quickly it could happen was different for each of them.












The Lib Dems have the strongest and most specific manifesto commitment to reform said Evan Harris. Dominic Grieve said if the Conservatives get in, he wants to consult before creating the package of reforms that would lead to the most satisfactory outcome. He said it is clear the libel laws are acting as a fetter to discussions but the Tories don't want to jump on the bandwagon and get things wrong. He stressed people must always have the right to redress if they are wronged.


Michael Wills said problems that were not apparent before but have become apparent because of the campaign made Labour realise the huge damage being done. He accepted the lack of a public interest defence is a real problem and said Labour will enact a statutory public interest defence if elected and that reforms should be enacted straight away.

Harris said preventing corporations from suing is a vital reform. He said a shifting of the burden of proof for corporations - making them show malice before they can take a case - would be useful. Wills said it is wrong that large corporations use the libel laws to go after individuals to stifle criticism. Grieve has seen no evidence for corporations suing being a problem but said we are at the start of the process of libel reform and that they are going to listen to what everyone has to say. He did say, in response to Simon's case, that he thought professional societies should not be allowed to sue.


In response to a question from the audience all speakers agreed reversing the burden of proof is not something they will be considering, because, they said, 'You can't prove a negative'. Harris said it could be enacted only for corporations.

On costs - Grieve said Labour's proposal on cutting CFAs (conditional fee arrangements) was a gut reaction and the wrong approach. He thinks it might prevent people from being able to bring a libel action. He thinks success fees will come down from 100% but wants to consult further. Harris said we shouldn't accept half hearted non-evidence based reform. Wills said people who voted against the reduction in success fees should come up with another measure to reduce costs, which are one of the biggest problems with the libel laws.

The three speakers agreed with a questioner from the floor that libel reform seemed to be a consensus issue and could be something cross party politicians could work on together in a hung Parliament.


The people I spoke to afterwards had enjoyed the event. They were interested especially in hearing the politicians say the case for libel reform in the public interest has been made. Dr Liz Bell of the Physiological Society told me it was how events should be run - democratic, with everybody getting involved. "I think your event was quite brilliant, well done! I'm still buzzing from it."

A straw poll of the audience at the event and online showed the Lib Dem's Evan Harris won the debate. Simon Singh said: "There are clearly differences between the parties when it comes to libel reform, but we are now at a position where all three parties acknowledgement that there are serious problems and they are all committed to libel reform. A year ago, this would have been unthinkable. Campaign supporters can be proud of what we have achieved, but we still need to maintain the pressure on politicians through and after the election, so that manifesto promises are implemented."


More coverage:

The Guardian online Where the parties stand on free speech

The Press Gazette Lib Dems would tackle Tesco and Barclays libel bullying


Listen again:

The Pod Delusion The Libel Reform Campaign Free Speech Hustings

Free speech hustings

The Libel Reform Campaign is hosting the official "Free Speech Hustings" of the General Election 2010 and you're invited. A Labour Party representative, Dominic Grieve from the Conservatives, and Evan Harris from the Liberal Democrats will go head to head over libel law reform and protecting our freedom of speech.

The Free Speech Hustings will bring together scientists, writers, human rights activists, journalists, bloggers and most importantly...voters - we want you to put the difficult questions to the candidates about free speech and libel reform, counter-terrorism, privacy and religious hatred.


21 April at 6.30pm at the Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3GA


If you can't make it to London, a number of satellite events have been organised around the country.


Nottingham

Nottingham Skeptics in the Pub have organised a satellite Free Speech Hustings event on Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm. Come along to watch the hustings in London live and stay for a discussion of what the politicians had to say about libel reform and free speech.

Details:

Upstairs in the conference room

The Navigation, 6 Wilford Street, Nottingham, NG2 1AA.

Email sitp.nottingham@googlemail.com or contact Andy on 07711 934154 for more information or to book a place.

Liverpool

Merseyside Skeptics Society have arranged a satellite Free Speech Hustings event in Liverpool on Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm. Come along to watch the hustings in London live and stay for a discussion of what the politicians had to say on libel reform and free speech.

Details:

The Crown Hotel, Lime Street, Liverpool

Email michael.marshall@merseysideskeptics.org.uk for more information or to book a place.

And there is a London over-flow event as the Free Word Centre is now fully booked:

The Old Bank of England, 194 Fleet Street London EC4Y

Starting at 6.30pm. Hosted by Padraig Reidy, the News Editor of Index on Censorship.

This satellite event is in association with Westminster Skeptics.

    Last updated: May 26 2010

Campaign helpers

Some of the people who volunteered in the office and gave us their technical and design expertise tell us why they wanted to help the campaign, and how they've become so passionate about libel law reform.


Inga Deakin

I got involved with Sense About Science because I support evidence-based medicine and am interested in the public perception of science. Just after my PhD, I spent two weeks in the office promoting the campaign, blogging to increasing it’s online presence. I was amazed at the enthusiasm of everyone involved in Simon’s case, and the pace of the campaign.




Thomas Foxley

I first heard of Sense About Science at the Big Libel Gig. Whilst I was shocked to learn about the backward libel laws in this country I was also relieved to hear that there was already some one doing something about it. Sense About Science (and the things they do) are very cool, and it was really exciting to be able to work on the campaign and to help in the push towards libel reform. Tell everyone you know to sign the petition now!


Annie Geraghty

Before I heard about the BCA suing Simon Singh for libel I knew absolutely nothing about libel laws in this country. I was pretty shocked to find out more about how they worked and the implications on free speech. The way that so many people and organisations have got behind the libel reform campaign demonstrates that this isn’t just an obscure issue about a piece of English law. Whilst the progress made by the campaign so far is incredibly encouraging I look forward to continuing the campaign to reform these outdated laws!


Andy Lewis

There are blog stories I have wanted to write about the shady practices of quacks, but aggressive legal threats have made that very difficult. There are people out there exploiting their customers with dangerous and nonsensical treatments and it is very difficult to expose them with England’s oppressive libel laws. This campaign will save lives and our politicians need to keep their promises and enact reform in full.




Elisa Parish

As a blogger I want to write without fear of legal action. As a scientist I don’t want to see my findings buried by threats of libel. With my PR experience I knew I could do something to help keep libel laws out of science. Thanks to Sense About Science libel reform is now a very real possibility. I am proud to have been a part of this campaign and optimistic about the future for scientists.


Akshat Rathi

I volunteered with Sense about Science during the early phase of the libel reform campaign and was taken aback by the impact of English libel laws on free speech. I tremendously enjoyed working with the team and take immense pleasure in persuading people to support the campaign. The growing numbers speak for themselves, but I hope that we can gather so much support that our politicians are left with no choice but to act for reform.


Jay Stone

Being an intern at Sense About Science and having the opportunity to work on the libel campaign really showed me how even little voices can make themselves heard - together people really can change things for the better.







Hamish Symington

Although I’m now a graphic designer, my degree was in Biochemistry, so I understand the fundamental importance of scientists being able to publish their findings in an objective and factual way. I’m delighted to have been able to help Sense about Science with their campaign to keep libel laws out of science.




Harriet Teare

I was first involved in the earlier stages of the libel campaign, helping to maintain the website as the campaign rapidly gathered momentum. More recently I have donned my libel reform t-shirt again to go out and drum up support directly, greatly enjoying the variety of events that have promoted this campaign.





Rebecca Watson

When I moved to the UK last year, I was astonished to find that such a progressive nation had so little protection for free speech. I’m proud to be able to help Sense About Science and the Libel Coalition correct the laws that currently allow the wealthy to silence valid criticism from scientists, journalists, and most importantly, bloggers like me. Seriously, please don’t sue me.




Emma Welsh

I was in the Sense About Science office at the launch of the Keep Libel Laws Out of Science Campaign. There was a real buzz that it might be possible to reform the arcane English libel laws, using Simon’s case as leverage. I jumped at the chance to help out on the campaign. I set up and organised a fair bit of the website, got to see the original press conference, worked with Edzard Ernst on his chiropractic primer and met loads of interesting people. It was great to work on giving people the freedom to communicate and freely criticise scientific topics - something which I formerly took for granted.


Rose Wu

Working on the Libel Reform Campaign has been in a way disquieting - although I’ve always appreciated the importance of scientific openness and discussion free from political/legal restraints, I would never have thought this was a problem in the UK. Being involved in such a fast paced and busy campaign has been full of exciting moments, and the passion, support, discussion and momentum it has generated has been inspiring to watch.


Volunteers at the Big Libel Gig

From left to right:

Becky Metcalfe, Inga Deakin, Noa Bodner, Anthony Sheehy, Ellen Raphael, Cat Lucas, Julia Wilson and Harriet Teare.

    Last updated: April 30 2010

BCA drop libel case against Simon Singh


On April 15th The British Chiropractic Association dropped its libel case with science writer Simon Singh. This followed the Court of Appeal ruling on 1st April that Singh’s article on chiropractic was comment not fact. Read more here


Simon Singh has been fighting his case for two years and has spent more than 200,000 pounds. He will never recover all his costs. He said: “It still staggers me that the British Chiropractic Association and half the chiropractors in the UK were making unsubstantiated claims. It still baffles me that the BCA then dared to sue me for libel and put me through two years of hell before I was vindicated.  And it still makes me angry that our libel laws not only tolerate but also encourage such ludicrous libel suits. English libel law is so intimidating, so expensive, so hostile to serious journalists that it has a chilling effect on all areas of debate, silencing scientists, journalists, bloggers, human rights activists and everyone else who dares to tackle serious matters of public interest. In the area of medicine alone, fear of libel means that good research is not always published because those with vested interests might sue, and bad research that should be withdrawn is not pulled because the authors might sue the journal, and in both cases it is the public that loses out because the truth is never exposed. My victory does not mean that our libel laws are okay, because I won despite the libel laws - we still have the most notoriously anti-free speech libel laws in the free world.”

Tracey Brown, Sense About Science, said: “Perversely, the BCA have proved an important point by bringing this case - that we need a public interest defence that can protect discussions of evidence and research, and many other types of discussion. At the moment we have laws that do the opposite. Cases brought under the current law, including the action that is still ongoing against the cardiologist Peter Wilmshurst, are taking important debates away from the public and into the courtroom. That is why Simon and his supporters, the Libel Reform Campaign and members of the legal profession, commentators etc will continue to press for the manifesto commitments now secured with all the major parties are turned into serious reform.”

Singh’s solicitor Robert Dougans, Associate at Bryan Cave LLP, said: “The BCA has now served a Notice of Discontinuance upon us. This brings to an end their libel claim against Simon. All that now remains to be settled is how much of Simon’s legal costs he can recover from the BCA, and how much he will have to bear himself. However well this process goes, Simon is likely to be out of pocket by about 20,000 pounds. This - and two years of lost earnings, which he can never recover - is the price he has paid for writing an article criticising the BCA for making claims the Advertising Standards Agency has ruled can no longer be made. In the game of libel, even winning is costly and stressful. To have won this case for Simon is the proudest moment of my career, but if we had the libel laws we ought to have I would never have met Simon at all. Until we have a proper public interest defence scientists and writers are going to have to carry on making the unenviable choice of either shying away from hard-hitting debate, or paying through the nose for the privilege of defending it.”

Jonathan Heawood, English PEN, said: “The appeal judges described the Singh trial as ‘a surprising consequence of laws designed to protect reputation’. Libel law is simply not fit for purpose. The question is not whether to reform the law, but when.”

John Kampfner, CEO of Index on Censorship said: “We welcome the BCA’s decision to abandon this case, but this has cost Simon over 200,000 pounds. Any reforms will have to ensure that a case like Simon’s never happens again. We will maintain pressure on the major parties to keep their manifesto pledges and reform our archaic, unfair libel laws.”

Liberal Democrat Dr Evan Harris said: “Dr Singh’s case underlines the need to radically change the law, to save science writers and responsible journalists from having to spend two years of their life and 200,000 pounds of their savings defending their right to debate matters of public interest, including children’s health.”

Dr. Michael Collis, Chief Executive, The Physiological Society said: “It’s great news that the libel case against science writer Simon Singh has been dropped. Freedom to criticise and question is the cornerstone of scientific debate. The Physiological Society is a strong supporter of the movement to reform the current UK libel laws which can deter scientists from expressing their views and acting in the public interest.”

Professor Julia Buckingham, Chairman of the Society for Endocrinology, said: “The Society for Endocrinology welcomes the news that the libel case against the science writer Simon Singh has been dropped.  In order for scientific debate to move forward, scientists and clinicians need to be able to openly discuss and debate findings without fear of being prosecuted for voicing an opinion.  It is essential that England’s libel laws are reformed to allow this process of scientific peer review to take place.  Debate amongst researchers helps to advance not only our understanding of scientific issues, but also leads to real improvements in public health and patient care.”

Simon Singh:“The good news is that all three main parties this week committed to a libel reform bill in the next Parliament. But libel reform has to be radical. Cutting costs by a half means that a trial will not cost 1 million pounds but cost 500,000 pounds, but this is still extortionate. Costs need to be cut by a factor of 10 at least. Moreover the current libel law still means that libel tourists can sue in London on spurious grounds, big companies can still bully lone journalists, we still lack a robust public interest defence and we still have an unfair burden of proof on writers. It is important to remember that another libel case involving medicine continues - Dr Peter Wilmshurst is a consultant cardiologist who is being sued for libel for raising serious concerns about the data relating to a new heart device. If Dr Wilmshurst loses his case then he will be bankrupted. It is ridiculous that a respected researcher such as Dr Wilmshurst, someone who has devoted his life to medicine, should be put under such pressure just for speaking his mind. Our libel laws discourage doctors, scientists and journalists from speaking out. It is only when Peter has hopefully defended his libel case that I will be able to celebrate. It is only when English libel law has been reformed that I will be able enjoy today’s victory. Unless our libel laws change urgently and radically, I will not be the last journalist hauled through the libel courts and who will have to face financial disaster and two years of hell simply for raising an important and valid matter of public interest.”

Simon Singh:“One of the good things to come out of the last two years is that the chiropractic profession has been put under intense scrutiny. One in four chiropractors in the UK is now being investigated for making allegedly misleading claims, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled against many chiropractic claims and the British Chiropractic Association has removed many claims from its website. None of this would have happened if I had backed down and the BCA has successfully silenced my article.”

Simon Singh:“The case is not quite over, because we still have to argue over costs. Having backed down and dropped the case, I expect the British Chiropractic Association to pay my legal bill of 200,000 pounds. I fully expect the BCA to argue that they should not pay all my costs, but I think it is the very least that they should do because this entire legal battle has been instigated by the BCA. I will never get back the two years that I have wasted on this case when I should have been writing a new book and I will never get back all the time I should have had with friends and family, which instead was replaced with continual stress, anxiety and ridiculously tedious legal documents. Fortunately the case has ended when my son Hari is only three weeks old, so I can now relax and enjoy being a father. My wife is a journalist and she been fully supportive throughout, and without her backing and the support of family, friends, scientists, bloggers and many others I suspect I would not have had the morale to keep fighting this case until the end.”



More coverage:

The Guardian A pivotal moment for free speech in Britain

The Guardian Simon Singh victory doesn’t mean libel laws work

Times Online Science writer Simon Singh wins bitter libel battle

BBC News Case dropped against Simon Singh

The Guardian Simon Singh libel case dropped

The Independent British Chiropractic Association drops defamation claim against Simon Singh

The Mail Online Doctor who criticised British Chiropractic Association jubilant as defamation case is dropped

The Today Program Libel cases ‘crazy’

Times Higher Education Singh triumphant

New Statesman Simon Singh wins libel case

journalism.co.uk BCA speaks - why the ‘time is right’ to drop libel case against Simon Singh

Guardian online Libel laws: a lethal muzzle of medicine

Guardian online election 2010 How many libel cases are there?

New Scientist Simon Singh wins libel battle against chiropractors

Index on Censorship Simon Singhs wins libel case

Nature Blog BCA backs off Singh

Press Gazette Chiropractic Association drops Simon Singh libel claim

The Spectator A rare victory for free speech

Reuters UK Chiropractors drop science writer libel case

The Wall Street Journal U.K. Writer Wins Libel Fight

The Lawyer British Chiropractic Association drops Singh libel case

inthenews.co.uk British Chiropractic Association drops Simon Singh case

Macleans Bittersweet justice for Singh

TopNews United States Bitter Libel Fight Won by Science Writer Simon Singh

    Last updated: May 26 2010

Libel Reform Campaign welcomes new Conservative commitment to Libel Reform

The Libel Reform Campaign led by English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science have welcomed the commitment by Dominic Grieve, the Shadow Justice Secretary, on 9th April 2010 to a Libel Reform Bill in the next Parliament. The commitment comes as the three major parties jostle to portray themselves as the party for libel reform, after the failed attempt to cut lawyers’ fees in the House of Commons on Tuesday.


The Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary, Dominic Grieve QC MP said: “The Conservative party is committed, if elected, to undertaking a fundamental review of the libel laws with a view to enacting legislation to reform them. This reform could best be done by means of a separate Libel Bill and this is the preferred approach for us.”

The new Conservative position has delighted campaigners as now all three main political parties are committed to reform of our libel laws. The Conservatives have also made clear that libel reform will be in their forthcoming manifesto.


The Libel Reform Campaign has galvanised 48,000 supporters and persuaded the majority of eligible MPs to sign a Parliamentary Early Day Motion. The national campaign is believed to be the first campaign by an NGO this year to get a manifesto commitment from all three major parties.

Jack Straw committed to a Labour manifesto pledge to reforming English libel law at a mass-lobby of Parliament organised by the Libel Reform Campaign on 23 March, following his establishment of a working-party into reform of the libel laws that commenced in February.  Nick Clegg, the leader of The Liberal Democrats, made the same commitment on 18 January.

John Kampfner, the CEO of Index on Censorship, said: “After the long-awaited cut to lawyers’ fees was blocked in the House of Commons this week, we’re delighted by this good news from the Conservative Party. Now, all three major political parties are committed to a Libel Reform Bill in the next Parliament.”


Jonathan Heawood, the Director of English PEN said: “To have every major political party committed to reform of our libel laws shows politicians have woken up to the extent of the problem after our year-long campaign. We really do need to see primary legislation in the new Parliament.”

Tracey Brown, the Managing Director of Sense About Science said: “The main political parties have committed to libel reform after our campaign energised 48,000 across the country with public talks, a huge comedy gig and our supporters sending tens of thousands of emails and letters to MPs. We’ll be keeping this momentum up after the election and we know how easily this important reform could be sidelined once the election campaign is over.”

 

More coverage:

Index on Censorship Conservatives make libel reform pledge

The Bookseller Tory party supports libel reform

journalism.co.uk Conservatives pledge support to libel reform campaign

journalism.co.uk Shadow justice minister says libel reform issue would be a ‘priority’ for a Tory government

    Last updated: April 28 2010

Judgment in Simon Singh libel case

The judgment in science writer Simon Singh’s appeal in his libel case with the British Chiropractic Association was handed down at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday 1st April.

The judgment stated that the appeal must be allowed.











Simon Singh has been fighting his case for two years and has already spent £200,000. The case could cost £1 million and Singh will never recover all his costs. He said: “It is ridiculous that it has cost £200,000 to establish the meaning of a handful of words. I am delighted that my meaning has been vindicated by three of the most powerful judges in the country, and I relish the opportunity to defend this meaning in court. However, I am still angry that libel is so horrendously expensive. That is just one of the reasons why the battle for libel reform must continue.”

See Simon’s complete statement here

Robert Dougans, Associate at Bryan Cave LLP and Singh’s lawyer, said:

“I’m very pleased that the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of Dr. Singh. We have all worked very hard in this case and the appeal, and it is a wonderful feeling to win such a resounding victory before such an impressive court. Scientists have been - rightly - concerned about the consequences they might face if opponents seek to counter their arguments with a libel claim rather than by engaging in debate and research. The Court of Appeal’s brave decision today gives hope that important research on scientific matters will be protected against libel threats, and will hopefully make people think again before embarking on legal action hoping to shut down debate. It is clear from the judgment that the Court of Appeal is not satisfied with the current state of English libel laws, and recognises the absurdities and injustices that can result from them as they currently stand. Whilst this decision should not obscure the urgent need for libel reform, I am very glad that Simon has received such good news.”

Tracey Brown, Sense About Science:

“Until we have a public interest defence we will see more cases like this. It is ludicrous that something that should be as straight forward as knowing whether your words are defensible should be so complicated to establish.”

Jonathan Heawood, English PEN:

“The appeal judges described the Singh trial as ‘a surprising consequence of laws designed to protect reputation’. Libel law is simply not fit for purpose. The question is not WHETHER to reform the law, but WHEN.”

Allen Green, writer of the 2010 Orwell Prize Longlisted Blog “Jack of Kent”:

“It has taken nearly two years and thousands of pounds for Simon to prevail today.  His victory is cheering, but for him to have got here has been a complex, depressing, and obscenely expensive journey.  This is not an example of the English libel laws working.  Instead it is a horrifying example of how bad they really are.  For him to have to struggle to win in this way signals the urgent need for libel reform”.

Mark Lewis, Lawyer for cardiologist Dr Peter Wilmshurst:

“This is not a victory it is a milestone in a journey that should never have started. Whilst it is very pleasing that the judges have applied the law in a way that allows common sense to prevail it just points the way for the long trek to continue. It is not the outcome of the case that is important it is the fact that the case started at all. Libel law is to protect reputations not to stifle scientific debate.”

Dr Evan Harris MP, the Liberal Democrat MP who has led the cross-party Parliamentary campaign for reform:

“This sensible judgement is no substitute for fundamental law reform. It is no kind of justice for a scientist to spend £200,000 and 2 years of his life just to get half-way through a case. The political parties must now all commit to reform of the law to free scientific speech and responsible journalism from the threat of penury.”

Media coverage:

BBC Online Science writer Simon Singh wins libel appeal

The Guardian Simon Singh wins libel court battle

The Daily Telegraph Science writer Simon Singh wins Court of Appeal libel battle

The Lawyer Court of Appeal overturns Eady J libel decision

BBC Radio The World at One

Reuters Science writer wins “fair comment” libel appeal

The Guardian Simon Singh’s ‘resounding victory’ raises hope of libel reform

 

    Last updated: May 07 2010

Government’s publication of finalised Principles and Sense About Science & CaSE’s response

On Wednesday 24th March 2010, the Government published their finalised version of the “Principles of scientific advice to government”, following the consultation to which we responded jointly with the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

The announcement and the Principles published by the Government can be found here.

On Friday 26th March, Sense About Science and CaSE responded by writing a letter to Lord Drayson and Professor Beddington:

Dear Lord Drayson and Professor Beddington,

Thank you for your letter of the 24th March setting out the finalised Principles of Scientific Advice to Government.

As you know, the original principles drafted by the scientific community and the reports by the Science and Technology Committees of both Houses of Parliament sought a constructive way forward from the ACMD experience and the wider concerns about independent scientific advisory committees which address contentious policy issues.

Specifically, the aim was for the Government to articulate explicitly the principles of independent scientific advice and how Government demonstrates respect for them. This would have been reassuring to scientists who have been concerned by the experience of the ACMD over the past two years and would have provided a sound basis for the Government to continue to be able to obtain advice from those who are concerned to protect their independence and academic freedom. It would have helped new ministers to understand why the independence of scientific advice is important, particularly if accompanied by an entry in the Ministerial Code.

We welcome the sections that set out the principles relating to independence of operation and transparency and openness, which very much meet the aspiration to move forward constructively. However, the first section on roles and responsibilities includes a point which undermines the other points within the Principles: “Government and its scientific advisers should not act to undermine mutual trust”.

“Trust” is not a principle. Trust by a minister in an adviser is subjective and, as we have seen in some case is unavoidably affected by media coverage and the views of political advisers. The section on Applying the Principles indicates that this can be grounds for sanction. It would open an independent scientific adviser to the risk of arbitrary sanction from a minister while having abided by the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (CoPSAC).

Unless steps are taken to mitigate the inclusion of the “mutual trust” point, the finalised Principles will institutionalise the very situation we sought to guard against. It will also create greater uncertainty about whether independent scientific advisers can exercise academic freedom and independence whilst working within the constraints of CoPSAC.

We have engaged constructively in this debate since it began and hope that you will give serious consideration to our suggestion that the application of the Principles is revised to make clear that scientific advisers can be sanctioned only for breaching the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees.

After the general election we will be asking the Prime Minister to include relevant sections of the Principles that pertain to the actions of ministers in the Ministerial Code. It would be inappropriate to make a blanket reference to the Principles or a specific statement about “mutual trust” within the Ministerial Code.

We would appreciate meeting with you to discuss this.

Yours sincerely,

Tracey BrownNick Dusic
Sense About ScienceCampaign for Science & Engineering

CC: Endorsers of the Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice and Chairs of Science and Technology Committees in the House of Commons and House of Lords

 

    Last updated: March 29 2010

Standing up for science media workshop

Agenda read here
Reading material read here

    Last updated: May 25 2010

Libel stories

In some countries, criminal defamation laws are being used to silence scientists. Find out more about criminal defamation laws and the case of a Peruvian scientist here.


Libel’s Cost to Consumers

What Satellite and Digital TV is a consumer technology magazine published monthly in the UK since 1986. It covers news, technical advice, equipment reviews, and other developments in the digital TV industry.

Editor Alex Lane describes the difficulty he has covering stories that are important to his readers: “It’s almost impossible to cover the poor manufacturing standards of set-top boxes used by millions of people daily, because of the potential legal and commercial ramifications of taking on big companies. Even a relatively large media company would baulk at the prospect of the most limited legal exchange with these giants.”

Lane believes that the outcome wouldn’t improve even if his writing was supported by enough evidence to defend a libel case.

“Sheer cost means the battle would be lost long before it ever reached the courts.”


The New York Academic vs. The Saudi Billionaire

Rachel Ehrenfeld is a New York-based author and director of the American Center for Democracy with a Ph.D. in criminology. In her 2003 book Funding Evil How Terrorism is Financed and How to Stop It, she alleged that Saudi billionaire Khalid bin Mahfouz “transferred some 74 million US Dollars to at least two front charities for terrorism.”

Though neither party lives in England and the book was not published or marketed there, bin Mahfouz was able to file a libel suit in London because 23 copies of Funding Evil arrived in the country via online purchases.

“Mahfouz was a one-man wrecking crew of Americans’ free speech rights, who after 9/11 sued or threatened to sue dozens of American writers in plaintiff-friendly English courts,” Ehrenfeld wrote. “When Mahfouz came after me, I refused to acknowledge the British court, asserting my rights as a U.S. citizen.”

The courts gave bin Mahfouz a default judgement, demanding Ehrenfeld pay more than 100,000 pounds and destroy existing copies of her book. Ehrenfeld countersued in New York claiming she was protected by US defamation law, but the suit was dismissed as the courts did not have jurisdiction over bin Mahfouz.

This litigation led the New York legislature to unanimously approve a bill to protect New Yorkers from libel suits “in countries whose laws are inconsistent with the freedom of speech granted by the United States Constitution.” A similar bill to protect US citizens from England’s libel laws was unanimously approved by the US House of Representatives and is expected to pass into law soon.


Silencing the Anti-Aging Critics

As experts on geriatrics and aging, Professor S. Jay Olshansky and Dr Thomas Perls are outspoken critics of unproven anti-aging products. At a conference in Australia they helped award the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) a “Silver Fleece,” a dubious honour meant to shame the company for claiming to have invented a way to reverse aging.

A4M’s founders, Robert Goldman and Ronald Klatz filed a 120 million US Dollar (75 million pounds) lawsuit for damaged credibility in 2004. They alleged that Olshansky cost them an important business deal in 2003 when he met with the executive vice president of Market America, a company considering partnering with A4M. When Olshansky pointed out the lack of scientific evidence for A4M’s claims, Market America pulled out.

“It was a friendly inquiry, trying to evaluate the evidence, just as it should be in science,” said Olshansky.

A4M chose to sue Olshansky and Perls instead of their respective universities, University of Illinois at Chicago and Boston University, a move that some critics think was designed to intimidate the professors. “Even the cost of the discovery process can be extremely expensive,” said Sandra Baron of the Media Law Center in New York.

The University of Illinois at Chicago decided to back Olshansky anyway. “The university has become involved because it is an issue of academic freedom,” said a spokesperson. “Professor Olshansky is doing his job … to search for the truth and speak it. That is the purpose of a research university. The university is defending its purpose.”

Olshansky responded to A4M with a countersuit. In 2006, A4M agreed to drop its suit if Olshansky dropped his.

“It’s my job to protect public health, and inform the public about the truth of what we know and what we don’t know,” said Olshansky.


Diluting Homeopathy Reporting

Nick Miller is Health Editor for Australia’s The Age newspaper. In July 2009 he interviewed British science writer Simon Singh about homeopathy. The interview covered the lack of scientific evidence for the treatment and the potentially dangerous consequences of choosing it over conventional medicine.

The night before Miller’s article was published, he discovered that his publisher’s lawyers “diligently removed some significant directly and indirectly quoted comments about homeopathy from the first paragraph and main body.” His editor explained that the purpose was to protect the writer and the paper from becoming a target for homeopaths who might sue for libel.

Miller explained the situation in a blog post on TheAge.com.au, which also had to be written carefully to avoid controversy. “The legal advice - which I have come to grudgingly accept - could be summed up as ‘Back off a bit - look what happened in the UK, we might get sued.’” he wrote.

Miller described the “gut-sinking, career and family-financial-security-threatening process” of a libel case, but acknowledged the importance of defending free expression.

“I’m worried a precedent has been set,” he wrote, “and I’m worried that fear has chalked up a point against reason.”


Libel Tourism Affecting Developing Nations

The Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN) is a Bosnian non-profit organisation that investigates organised crime and corruption. Spokesman Drew Sullivan recently addressed the Culture Media and Sport Committee inquiry into press standards, privacy, and libel.

Sullivan described the the practice of libel tourism in the UK, which he says “has been a boon to developing world crime figures who have sued developing world media and civil society organization in your courts,” taking advantage of England’s “draconian civil awards” and “the most media-unfriendly libel laws relative to the rest of the developed world.”

As an example, Sullivan told of a Serbian oligarch who took control of the local energy market:

“We reported, based on prosecution and auditor records, how this man had a pattern of getting state electrical companies to give him sweetheart deals that cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and how he bought state electricity at below production costs only to sell it at handsome profits.”

The expose won an international investigative prize, but the oligarch’s UK lawyers began sending threatening letters. CIN had to hire a UK-based lawyer, though Sullivan noted “the cost of only a few hours of a UK lawyer’s time will buy an organization such as ours a one year retainer for a lawyer in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

Though CIN’s lawyer handled the threats, the oligarch’s firm did not stop there.

“Reminiscent of the despicable, underhanded practices of organized crime figures, the UK law firm contacted all of our donors,” Sullivan said. “They made a series of inaccurate, slanderous statements attempting to damage our reputation.”

CIN spent valuable time and money to defend against these attacks, which gained greater credibility since they originated from a UK law firm. Eventually they were able to convince their donors to continue to support them.

“UK courts should not be misused,” said Sullivan, “and they should not be a tool that forces organizations to avoid printing the truth or journalists to self-censor, and that allows organized crime figures to harass the innocent.”



Football Club Sues Supporters

Owlstalk is an online forum for fans of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC). Members can anonymously post their thoughts, which at times can be passionate. SWFC felt that eleven of the members were posting defamatory remarks and pursuing “a sustained campaign of vilification.”

SWFC sued Neil Hargreaves, the owner of Owlstalk, to force him to reveal the identities of eleven members so they could pursue those members in libel suits. Judge Richard Parkes QC ordered Hargreaves to turn over the email addresses of four of the members, ruling that the claimants’ right to reputation “outweighs, in my judgement, the right of the authors to maintain their anonymity and their right to express themselves freely.”

The Judge ruled that the other members’ comments were “trivial” and therefore they could stay anonymous. He also ruled that Hargreaves did not bear any responsibility for the comments, and thus would not be at risk of a libel suit.

“The people in the media who stand up for free speech, like newspapers, have money and experience to fight these cases,” said solicitor Ian de Freitas. “The vast majority of online companies don’t have this luxury and their business models can’t cope with defamation claims. The libel laws in the UK are claimant friendly, not defendant friendly.”


Defamatory Science?

Xytis Inc is a Swiss biotech firm that funded a clinical trial at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to test a new drug designed as a treatment for traumatic brain injury. During the study, Xytis found that the data being collected was not supportive of the drug’s efficacy, and requested that the trial end early.

 

“They requested the trial be terminated but quickly moved onto using a court injunction, which in essence prevented researchers . . . from publishing any of the trial results - which they felt would jeopardise the future of the drug,” said Iain Hrynaszkiewicz of BioMed Central, publishers of the journal Trials where the trial was eventually published.

The injunction was used to prevent publication of potentially libellous or defamatory material. In this case, the material in question was a scientific study that might keep a drug from being released onto the market.

LSHTM defended the study in court and won the right to publish the results a year later. Chief investigator Ian Roberts and trial manager Haleema Shakur wrote in a letter to BioMed Central:

“After a long and expensive legal battle we are pleased that Trials has published the results of the BRAIN trial thus allowing us to meet our ethical obligations to the trial participants that the data are made publicly available.”



A British Doctor Sued by a US Company for a Canadian Article

Dr Peter Wilmshurst is a British cardiologist who has spent more than two decades challenging misconduct in medical research. In 2003 he was awarded the HealthWatch award, given annually to the person who has done the most to expose poor clinical trials.

“Exposing this bad practice usually requires a whistleblower who thereby puts his own career in peril,” explained HealthWatch.

In 2005, Wilmshurst did just that. He was a joint principal investigator in a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of the STARFlex device, which was expected to reduce the incidence of migraines when implanted in the heart. The study failed to find any benefits. At a cardiology conference in Washington, Wilmshurst criticised the device’s American manufacturer, NMT Medical, for the way they were handling data from the clinical trial. His criticism was reported by the Canadian website Heartline, where it could be viewed online for three days. NMT launched a libel lawsuit against Wilmshurst, who has chosen to defend himself despite receiving no support from his NHS Trust. His solicitor maintains that Wilmshurst had a “social, moral, and ethical duty” to make the information public and demanded that NMT drop the suit and repay all the costs.

“We also want them to say they recognise my right to have said this,” Wilmshurst told The Times. “They should recognise that even though they don’t agree, this is an expert opinion and they shouldn’t have sued.”

Despite the potentially crippling legal costs even if he wins, Wilmshurst is defending his right publicly express his concerns to ensure that future researchers are free to speak honestly about clinical trials for the good of the public.


The One Million Pounds Per Day Lawsuit

Andy Lewis runs the Quackometer blog, where he writes about quackery, or “anything involving overpromotion in the field of health.”

Beginning in September 2006, Lewis wrote a series of articles criticising Joseph Chikelue Obi of the Royal College of Alternative Medicine (RCAM) in Dublin. Obi was charging 300 Euro an hour for health advice over the phone, and Lewis later reported that he was under investigation for taking thousands of pounds to cure a woman’s illness.

Among other revelations, he also found that RCAM did not exist at the address it claimed and that Obi was suspended from South Tyneside District Hospital for misconduct.

In January 2008, Obi’s legal representative “Tanja Suessenbach” sent Lewis’ ISP Netcetera a letter demanding the posts be removed by January 21 or else “we are instructed to hold you fully liable to the tune of 1 Million (One Million Pounds) per day, together with additional punitive damages relating to the many months during which the defamatory material had and has been globally accessible via your server.”

Lewis contacted Obi in an attempt to understand which statements were defamatory so they could be edited. In the meanwhile, Netcetera removed the posts, which were immediately posted on dozens of other websites.

A week later, Lewis wrote to Netcetera, saying, “We have now waited long enough for either Obi or his ‘legal advisor’ to respond in a meaningful and constructive manner. That has not happened, not will it happen because his case is utterly groundless and he has achieved what he wanted to do - take down those pages.”

After several days he learned that Netcetera had decided to remove the entire Quackwatch site from its servers. Lewis received an email from the company saying “We do not wish to be in a position where we could be taken to court, and incur the loss of time and expense that would involve.”

Quackwatch reappeared several days later, hosted by a new ISP.


Trafigura Silences The Guardian

In October 2009, The Guardian reported that an MP had tabled a question in Parliament, but the paper could not reveal the name of the MP, the question that was asked, or the company that was preventing the reporting.

The following day, The Guardian was allowed to explain that “[MP Paul] Farrelly’s question was about the implications for press freedom of an order obtained by Trafigura preventing the Guardian and other media from publishing the contents of a report related to the dumping of toxic waste in Ivory Coast.”

Trafigura is a Swiss oil company that was accused of dumping the waste in 2006, causing 30,000 people to seek medical attention. The company hired libel specialists Carter-Ruck to act as attorneys.

“Carter-Ruck spray threatening letters around newsrooms from Oslo to Abidjan. They launch an action against the BBC. And they persuade a judge to suppress a confidential but embarrassing document which has fallen into journalists’ hands,” wrote Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger. “A new term is coined: ‘super-injunctions’, whereby the existence of court proceedings and court orders are themselves secret.”

After Carter-Ruck stopped his paper from reporting on the Parliamentary question, Rusbridger took to Twitter. Overnight, users had figured out Farrelly’s question and deduced that Trafigura was behind the injunction.

By lunchtime the following day, Trafigura conceded the injunction did not apply to Parliamentary proceedings.

“Trafigura thought it was buying silence,” Rusbridger wrote. “A combination of old media - the Guardian - and new - Twitter turned attempted obscurity into mass notoriety.”

An injunction still prevents The Guardian from revealing information about The Minton Report, a document that purports to contain evidence of the waste dumping.

    Last updated: May 26 2010

SAS slides

VoYS slides
SAS slides
Libel
SocEndo
chemicals

    Last updated: May 05 2010

Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on Press Standards, Privacy and Libel

The Libel Reform Campaign led by English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science have welcomed the report by a group of influential MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee as ‘a great starting point to ensure a once in a generation overhaul of our libel laws.’

The Select Committee report makes strong recommendations on curbing libel tourism, strengthening the public interest defence, cutting the cost of libel cases by holding down lawyers per hour charges, and recognising the resources that corporations can use to bully charities, writers and scientists by reversing the burden of proof in cases involving corporations.

Tracey Brown, Managing Director of Sense About Science said:

“We welcome the committee’s recognition of the harmful effects of UK libel laws on the science and medical community. The proposal for a clear public interest defence is an important step toward the far reaching reform that is needed.”

Jonathan Heawood, Director of English PEN said:

“206 MPs have signed Parliamentary Early Day Motion 423 calling for libel reform. The Select Committee report by John Whittingdale MP will add to the rising chorus of voices within Westminster calling for reform of our outdated libel laws that benefit no-one except 400 pound an hour lawyers.”

Jo Glanville, the Editor of Index on Censorship said:

“We’re concerned that ghettoising fair comment in peer reviewed journals would not have helped Simon Singh in his libel case whatsoever, it’s important that a fair comment defence is available to everyone, not just for academic discussion out of the reach of ordinary people.”

Read the full report here

    Last updated: February 24 2010

Joint submission from CaSE and Sense About Science to consultation

Dear Professsor Beddington

Thank you for inviting views on the Principles of scientific advice to Government within the consultation about Guidelines on scientific analysis in policy making.

As the Government is already aware, following the sacking of David Nutt and subsequent resignations of other ACMD members, there was significant concern in the scientific community. Many scientists contacted Sense About Science and the Campaign for Science and Engineering with concerns about the ACMD's treatment, other attempts to control SAC output, and their unhappiness about contributing advice under such conditions. Therefore, when independent scientific advisers and others proposed to set out explicitly the principles underlying independent advice and seek Government's confirmation of them, we thought it a constructive initiative. It provided a means to reaffirm all that is good about the independent advisory system (and it largely works very well), to ensure that new ministers understood what its benefits were and to reduce the likelihood of public cynicism about scientific advice to Government.

The principles drawn up by the scientific community were based on commitments the Government had already given about independence and proper consideration of advice in response to previous reports. They were drafted and endorsed by 90 members of Scientific Advisory Councils and other scientists and sent to the Prime Minister by Lord Rees in November 2009.

The Government responded in December. While it was expected that some amendments might be suggested about the context and the detail elaborating the principles, there was widespread consternation about the removal of references to academic freedom and the suggestion of new codes relating to trust and respect, which reflect neither the codes of practice for scientific advisers nor the Government’s previous commitments to independent scientific advice. If such suggestions were implemented, the independence of scientific advice would be undermined. Not surprisingly, the Government’s response drew much more trenchant criticism than the ACMD affair.

The principles drafted by the scientific community were amended through consultation among the endorsers and others, in response to the Government’s publication of its suggestions and also the House of Commons Sci Tech committee report. We have agreed to forward on their behalf these Amended Principles, which we are publishing, to your consultation, together with a suggestion for a corresponding entry in the Ministerial Code (Appendix 3), for the Government to consider.

Please find attached:

A.The Amended Principles
B.Statement of Reasons setting out areas of agreement and ways in which the Principles have been amended to adopt all appropriate points or wording from the Government's suggestions
Appendix 1: List of endorsers
Appendix 2: Summary of equivalent responsibilities of SACs as set out in the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Councils (CoPSAC) and the Universal Ethical Code.
Appendix 3: Suggested entry for Ministerial Code
Appendix 4: Original principles sent to the Prime Minister in November 2009

It is important to emphasise a context of many professional and productive relationships between SACs and Government. However, we feel obliged to record that we have received over 200 items of correspondence expressing surprise and disappointment that the Government has not taken the opportunity to affirm its commitment to the basic principles of independent advice and that instead it has made suggestions that add greater uncertainty to the relationship. These include some who have indicated that they will resign or refuse to advise Government again. Present and former ACMD members are also disappointed that there has been no progress since they asked the Home Secretary to affirm the principles. Despite this, we believe that the Government still has an opportunity to restore the confidence of the scientific community by agreeing a strong set of principles for scientific advice and incorporating relevant aspects of it into the Ministerial Code to ensure the integrity of the scientific advisory process into the future.

Yours sincerely

Nick Dusic, Director, CaSE
Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science

Joint submission from CaSE and Sense About Science to consultation

    Last updated: February 11 2010

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    Last updated: December 18 2009

Sign up now to keep the libel laws out of science!

***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with EnglishPEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.


The use of the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence discourages debate, denies the public access to the full picture and encourages use of the courts to silence critics. The British Chiropractic Association has sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic through an open discussion in the medical literature or mainstream media.

On 4th June 2009 Simon Singh announced that he was applying to appeal the judge's recent pre-trial ruling in this case, in conjunction with the launch of this support campaign to defend the right of the public to read the views of scientists and writers.

Join the campaign! In a statement published on 4th June 2009, over 100 people from the worlds of science, journalism, publishing, comedy, literature and law have joined together to express support for Simon and call for an urgent review of English law of libel. Supporters include Stephen Fry, Lord Rees of Ludlow, Ricky Gervais, Martin Amis, James Randi, Professor Richard Dawkins, Penn & Teller and Professor Sir David King, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.

Please help us with this campaign, sign the statement and ask everyone you know to sign it. With every additional 1000 names we will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation.

Click here to read details of the launch of the campaign to Keep Libel Laws out of Science.

Simon Singh has provided some background to his own libel case which you can read here, along with a discussion of the problems with the English libel system. At the launch of the campaign, Simon encouraged supporters to sign the statement of support:

"It has been a stressful and frustrating twelve months since I published my article on chiropractors and their attempts to treat children with conditions such as asthma. The British Chiropractic Association's decision to sue me for libel has been an enormous drain on my time and energy. However, the support that I have received from family, friends, readers, bloggers, scientists, journalists and those who care about free speech has been incredible, and it has played a crucial role in my decision to continue defending my article and fighting the libel action.

More importantly, everyone agrees that there is something fundamentally wrong with the English libel laws, which have a chilling effect on journalists, whether they write about science or anything else, whether they live in Britain or anywhere else. Hence, I am delighted that so many individuals and organisations have come together to launch a campaign with Sense About Science to highlight how the English libel laws clash with the right to discuss science in a frank and fair way. The Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign will also raise issues related to my particular libel case, and it will encourage a debate on the reform of the English libel system.

The campaign launch revolves around the statement shown below, and I would urge anyone who cares about science or free speech to show support by signing up.

And I would also encourage you to make your friends and colleagues aware of the issues at stake and ask them to sign up. It is possible that the time is right for major libel reform in England, which will then allow scientists and journalists to write with less fear of being intimidated." Simon Singh

Click here to read Simon's full account of the story.

Click here to read and sign the statement.


For more information contact Sile Lane on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 020 7478 4380.

News already! This statement has already received a response, with support from cross party MPs.


More News!World science journalists object to English libel laws

With huge thanks to Andy Lewis, Emma Welsh, Harriet Teare, Inga Deakin, Matt Davis, Frank Swain and Elisa Parish for all their technical and creative work. Thank you to Hamish Symington for wonderful design help and to web application development company Xibis for their donation


Press Coverage

Today programme, Radio 4 From 1:36:30 here

Daily Mail 'Libel tourism' gags free speech warns doctor being sued by U.S. firm

The Times Let's put an end to the disgrace of libel tourism

The Times Cardiologist will fight libel case 'to defend free speech'

The Scotsman Libel under a microscope

The Sunday Times Jack Straw pledges action to end libel tourism

The Sunday Times Think tank: The way to publish and not be damned

Time Magazine A Crackdown Coming on British Libel Suits?

The Independent Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: How libel laws silence our democracy

The Economist A city named sue

The Sunday Times Libel laws stifle health doubts

Channel 4 news Libel fear for doctors and scientists

The Sunday Times England's libel laws don't just gag me, they blindfold you

BBC Newsnight

The New York Times Cracking the Spine of Libel

The Guardian An intrepid, ragged band of bloggers

The Independent The libel laws that threaten to stifle scientific debate

BMJ Keep Libel Laws out of Science

New Humanist Bogus treatment

Daily Mail Back 'cures', a brave scientist and an epic court battle: How Britain's libel laws are threatening free speech

SEED Magazine On behalf of Simon Singh

The Sunday Times Think tank: Costly libel suits are stifling science

Wall Street Journal Britain chills free speech

Professor Chris French in The Guardian 'Witch hunt' forces chiropractors to take down their websites

Nature Unjust burdens of proof

The Economist A happy cacophony

Times Higher Education Win or lose, the cost of fighting a libel suit chills science and journalism

BMJ Science in court

Channel 4 News Watch here

Daily Mail Celebrities back writer sued by chiropractors

The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh to appeal against chiropractic libel judgement

The Times Review of libel law called for by comedians

The Independent Silenced, the writer who dared to say chiropractice is bogus

Daily Telegraph Stephen Fry and Ricky Gervais defend science writer sued for libel

Nature news Science writer will appeal libel case ruling

Times Higher Education Singh plans to appeal ruling in libel case

    Last updated: December 10 2009

The law has no place in scientific disputes

***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.

We the undersigned believe that it is inappropriate to use the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence.


The British Chiropractic Association has sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic for various children's ailments through an open discussion of the peer reviewed medical literature or through debate in the mainstream media.

Singh holds that chiropractic treatments for asthma, ear infections and other infant conditions are not evidence-based. Where medical claims to cure or treat do not appear to be supported by evidence, we should be able to criticise assertions robustly and the public should have access to these views.

English libel law, though, can serve to punish this kind of scrutiny and can severely curtail the right to free speech on a matter of public interest. It is already widely recognised that the law is weighted heavily against writers: among other things, the costs are so high that few defendants can afford to make their case. The ease and success of bringing cases under the English law, including against overseas writers, has led to London being viewed as the "libel capital" of the world.

Freedom to criticise and question in strong terms and without malice is the cornerstone of scientific argument and debate, whether in peer-reviewed journals, on websites or in newspapers, which have a right of reply for complainants. However, the libel laws and cases such as BCA v Singh have a chilling effect, which deters scientists, journalists and science writers from engaging in important disputes about the evidential base supporting products and practices. The libel laws discourage argument and debate and merely encourage the use of the courts to silence critics.

The English law of libel has no place in scientific disputes about evidence; the BCA should discuss the evidence outside of a courtroom. Moreover, the BCA v Singh case shows a wider problem: we urgently need a full review of the way that English libel law affects discussions about scientific and medical evidence.


Sign the statement now

Click here to read additional comments from signatories


Main Page


Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated



Science

Igor Aleksander FREng Professor Emeritus in Neural Systems Engineering, Imperial College London

Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE Professor of Physics and of Public Engagement in Science, University of Surrey

Dr Sabine Bahn Cambridge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Research, University of Cambridge

Harriet Ball Voice of Young Science network

Professor Michael Baum MB FRCS ChM MD FRCR Emeritus Professor of Surgery and Visiting Professor of Medical Humanities, University College London

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell FRS University of Oxford and President, The Institute of Physics

Willem Betz Emeritus Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Chair, SKEPP

Susan Blackmore Visiting Professor, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth

Professor Colin Blakemore FRS University of Oxford

Sir Tom Blundell FRS University of Cambridge and President, The Biochemical Society

Dr Petra Boynton University College London

Jean Bricmont Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Louvain and Honorary President, Association Francaise pour l'Information Scientifique

Tracey Brown Managing Director, Sense About Science

Sir Iain Chalmers Editor, The James Lind Library

Professor David Colquhoun FRS University College London

Professor David Cope

Professor Brian Cox University of Manchester

Dr Tim Crayford MB BS MSc FFPH FRSA Former President, Association of Directors of Public Health

Professor Richard Dawkins FRS University of Oxford

Professor Edzard Ernst MD PhD FRCP FRCP (Edin) Peninsula Medical School, Exeter University

Dr Oliver Fenwick Voice of Young Science Network

Professor Elizabeth Fisher FMedSci Institute of Neurology, University College London

Dr Ron Fraser Chief Executive, The Society for General Microbiology

Professor Christopher C French Head, The Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, Goldsmiths University and Editor, The Skeptic Magazine

Carlos Frenk Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics, Durham University

Diana Garnham Chief Executive, The Science Council

John Garrow MD PhD FRCP FRCP (Edin) Emeritus Professor of Clinical Nutrition, University of London and Former Chairman, HealthWatch

Professor David Gordon President, Association of Medical Schools in Europe

Professor Trisha Greenhalgh University College London

Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng University College London and Chairman and on behalf of The Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK

Dr John Haigh Former Reader in Mathematics, University of Sussex

Kristoffer R Haug Master of Science, Nanotechnology, University of Oslo

Professor Martin Humphries University of Manchester and Chair, The Biochemical Society

Sir Tim Hunt FRS Cancer Research UK

Sir Roland Jackson Chief Executive, The British Science Association

Professor Steve Jones University College London

Dr Stephen Keevil King's College London

Professor Sir David King FRS Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government and Director, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford

Dr Chris Kirk Chief Executive, The Biochemical Society

Professor Sir Peter Lachmann FRS FMedSci University of Cambridge and Founder President, Academy of Medical Sciences

Jennifer Lardge Voice of Young Science network

Armand Leroi Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, Imperial College London

Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS FMedSci MRC National Institute for Medical Research

Dr Daniella Muallem Voice of Young Science network

Professor Dame Bridget Ogilvie FRS FMedSci Former Director, Wellcome Trust

Professor Clive Orchard University of Bristol and President, The Physiological Society

Professor Ole H Petersen CBE University of Liverpool

Lord Rees of Ludlow Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge

Les Rose Clinical Science Consultant

Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS MRC Research Professor and President, Biosciences Federation

Wallace Sampson Clinical Professor of Medicine, Stanford University

Alan Sokal Professor of Physics, New York University and Professor of Mathematics, University College London

Professor Beda Stadler University of Bern, Switzerland

John Stevens CSci FIBMS President and on behalf of The Institute of Biomedical Science

Professor Ian Stewart FRS Mathematician and Science Writer

Professor Raymond Tallis FMedSci Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester

Lord Taverne Chair, Sense About Science

Hazel Thornton Independent Advocate for Quality in Research and Healthcare

Sir Mark Walport Director, The Wellcome Trust

Professor Robin A Weiss FRS University College London and President, The Society for General Microbiology

Tom Wells Voice of Young Science network

Robin Wilson Professor of Pure Mathematics, Open University

Richard Wiseman Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire and Author




Journalism and Publishing

David Aaronovitch Columnist, The Times and Author

Monica Ali Writer and Member, English PEN

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown Journalist and Columnist

Julian Baggini Journalist and Writer

Wendy Barnaby Editor, People and Society

Penelope Bennett Writer and Member, English PEN

David Bodanis Journalist and Author

Rosie Boycott Former Editor, The Independent and Independent on Sunday

Geoffrey Carr Science Editor, The Economist

Marcus Chown Author, Journalist and cosmology consultant to New Scientist

Duncan Campbell Journalist and Author

Dr Philip Campbell Editor-in-Chief, Nature

Nick Cohen Columnist, The Observer

Clive Cookson Science Editor, Financial Times

Amanda Craig Writer and Member, English PEN

Nick Davies Journalist and Author of Flat Earth News

Blain Fairman Writer and Member, English PEN

Kendrick Frazier Editor, Skeptical Inquirer

Martin Gardner Author, Former Scientific American columnist and prominent skeptic

James Gleick Science Writer and Journalist

Dr Ben Goldacre Writer, Broadcaster and Medical Doctor

David Hare Writer and Member, English PEN

Nigel Hawkes Director, Straight Statistics and Former Health Editor, The Times

Mark Henderson Science Editor, The Times

Roger Highfield Editor, New Scientist

Eva Hoffman Writer and Member, English PEN

Dr Richard Horton FRS FMedSci Editor, The Lancet

Alok Jha Science and Environment Correspondent, The Guardian

Rohit Jaggi Columnist, Financial Times

Frances Jessup Writer and Member, English PEN

Barry Karr Skeptical Inquirer and Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki Author, Broadcaster and Scientist

Hari Kunzru Writer and Member, English PEN

Sam Lister Health Editor, The Times

Brenda Maddox Journalist and Biographer

Kenan Malik Journalist and Author

Marilyn Malin Writer and Member, English PEN

Naomi May Writer and Member, English PEN

Dr Margaret McCartney Columnist, Financial Times and GP

Caspar Melville Editor, New Humanist magazine and Chief Executive, The Rationalist Association

Robin McKie Science Correspondent, The Observer

George Monbiot Journalist

Andrew Mueller Journalist and Author

Beverley Naidoo Writer and Member, English PEN

Steven Novella Editor, Science-Based Medicine; Director of General Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine and Author

Vivienne Parry Science Writer and Broadcaster

John Rennie Former Editor-in-Chief, Scientific American

Nick Ross Journalist and Broadcaster

Ian Sample Science Correspondent, The Guardian

Anne Sebba Columnist, Financial Times

Ariane Sherine Comedy, Writer and Journalist

Michael Shermer Publisher, Skeptic Magazine; Columnist Scientific American and Author of Why People Believe Weird Things

Rebecca Smith Medical Editor, The Daily Telegraph

Andrew Sugden Deputy Editor, Science

Mike Swain Science Correspondent, The Daily Mirror

Bill Thompson Technology Journalist

Margaret Wertheim Science Writer




Arts, Humanities and Entertainment

Martin Amis Novelist

Joan Bakewell Broadcaster and Journalist

Antony Beevor Historian

Jo Brand Performer

Derren Brown Psychological Illusionist

Alain de Botton Author

Carol Ann Duffy Poet Laureate

Peter Florence Director of The Guardian Hay Festival

Stephen Fry Broadcaster and Author

Ricky Gervais Writer and Performer

Anthony Grayling Professor of Philosophy, Birkbeck College University of London

Dave Gorman Writer and Performer

Harry Hill Performer

Robin Ince Performer

Tim Minchin Performer

Dara O'Briain Performer

Penn Jillette Illusionist, Juggler and Libertarian

Libby Purves Broadcaster, Journalist and Author

Jonathan Ross TV presenter

David Starkey Historian

Teller Illusionist, Juggler and Libertarian

Sandi Toksvig Broadcaster, Comedian and Author

Dr Richard Vranch Performer and Ex-physicist




Skeptics and Campaign Groups

Luis Alfonso The Spanish Skeptics group Circulo Esceptico

The Association for Skeptical Enquiry, UK

Australian Council Against Health Fraud

Australian Skeptics Inc

Peter Bowditch Editor, www.ratbags.com

Neil Denny Little Atoms podcast

Rachael Dunlop Reporter, Skeptic Zone podcast

Hanno Essen Chairman and on behalf of the Swedish sceptics Vetenskap och Folkblidning

European Council of Skeptical Organisations

Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften The German Skeptics group

Jonathan Heawood Director, English PEN

Gabor Hrasko Executive President and on behalf of The Hungarian Skeptic Society

Narisetti Innaiah Chairman, Center for Inquiry, India

The Irish Skeptics Society

Dr Massimo Polidoro On behalf of Italian Skeptics CICAP

Andy Lewis Blogger, quackometer.net

Ronald A Lindsay President and CEO, Center for Inquiry, USA

Simon Perry Founder, Skeptics in the Pub (Leicester)

Dr Philip Plait President, James Randi Educational Foundation, USA

James Randi CEO, James Randi Educational Foundation, USA

Padraig Reidy Index on Censorship

Sid Rodrigues Chairman, Skeptics in the Pub (London)

Amardeo Sarma Chairman, German Skeptics (GWUP)

Eran Segev President, Australian Skeptics Inc




Law

David Allen Green Solicitor

Jonathan Morgan Fellow in Law, University of Cambridge

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC Barrister and Labour Member of the House of Lords





This statement has been sent to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, No 10 and the Department of Justice on Thursday 4th June and with every additional 1000 names we will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation. Next 1000 names here (these will be added as quickly as we can).



Main Page

    Last updated: December 10 2009

Launch of National Campaign for Libel Reform, 9th December 2009

“England’s libel laws are unjust, against the public interest and internationally criticised - there is urgent need for reform” this is the message performers, writers, poets, patient groups, legal experts, broadcasters, journalists and others represented by the Coalition for Libel Reform (English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science) are sending to politicians urging them to support a bill for major reforms of the English libel laws now, in the interests of fairness, the public interest and free speech.

Today at the launch of the National Campaign for Libel Reform, performers and others urged the public to sign a petition demanding reform of the libel laws, highlighting that for the first time in over a century we have an opportunity to change our unfair and repressive libel laws.

Tomorrow, Thursday 10th, leading academics, medical and science editors, human rights activists and writers will be taking the campaign to Parliament to tell MPs and Peers what the public don’t get to hear under the English libel laws. Advance notice of what they are to say is available under embargo on 9th.

For the full text of the petition and to sign up please see www.libelreform.org

Comments:

Stephen Fry, Broadcaster and Author: “A country with Britain’s history of ancient liberties should be celebrating its part in the development of democracy around the world: instead we cringe with embarrassment at archaic, unfair and illiberal laws on libel that make us a global laughing stock. From true free speech flow cultural richness, political liberty and wider prosperities. Instead, our current laws can be manipulated to protect the corrupt and to hide the truth. They are threatening to throttle the life out of our traditions of openness and freedom and to betray all those who fought over the centuries to keep us free.”

Dara O Briain, Performer and Author:  “The English libel laws were supposed to support the principles of decency and fair play that this country has always aspired to. Nowadays though, those values have been dangerously reversed. Is it fair play that multinational companies can use the laws to suppress commentary and criticism? Is it fair play that foreign libel tourists can use the English laws to quash dissent in their own countries? Is it fair play that there is no defence of “public interest” so that important scientific matters, such as public health or dubious medical practices, cannot be properly debated? Is it fair play that the cost of a libel case in England is 140 times the cost in mainland Europe? For journalists, performers, scientists and writers, the libel laws in England are becoming a dangerous joke.”

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Journalist and Columnist: “Freedom to write is said to be precious and protected in western democracies. That fundamental principle and the right to disagree with people and institutions is being compromised and threatened by those who use the law not for redress but as a warning to those whose views they resent. Many conscientious journalists and authors are finding their hands and tongues are tied.”

Jonathan Ross, Broadcaster:  “The time is now to change these archaic libel laws unless you like the idea of returning to the Dark Ages. Let’s free scientists and journalists to report the truth about science and medicine. You know it makes sense.”

Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Surrey, Author and Broadcaster: “At a time when scientific honesty and transparency are in the headlines, it is vital that we can all freely question, probe and scrutinize claims that affect society.”

Professor Raymond Tallis, Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Author: “I think the public must now know that they should be afraid, very afraid,  of the way the libel laws are being used to suppress challenges to dangerous and fraudulent scientific claims.”

Nick Cohen, Journalist: “In its exorbitant costs and institutional bias, the English libel law is the greatest restriction on our right to freedom of expression. Unless we reform it, intelligent debate in this country will wither.”

Roger Highfield, Editor, New Scientist: “England’s libel laws mean that even for people striving to be even handed, for instance in discussing the scientific evidence backing a medical therapy, there’s a chilling atmosphere of fear and uncertainty because of the extraordinary expense of having to defend an action. The biggest losers are the public interest, and most importantly, people’s health. We must defend the freedom of scientists, researchers and journalists to engage in robust criticism of scientific and pseudoscientific work. It is high time politicians reformed the law. This will only come if campaigners maintain the momentum for reform during the forthcoming British general election and beyond.”

Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire and Author:  “England’s libel laws and high legal costs can deter individuals from speaking out against bad science. They should be reformed to help ensure the public get the whole story.”

Ben Goldacre, Medical Doctor and Bad Science Columnist: “Laws that stifle debate harm patients, because in medicine we have seen repeatedly that people can do great harm, even when they intend to do good. So we can’t just tolerate criticism of our ideas and practises: we must welcome it, because criticism is the only way that our ideas and practises improve.”

Mark Le Fanu, Society of Authors:  “Authors – particularly those who write biographies of the living or on current affairs – worry a great deal about the risk of being sued for libel as the law is so favourable to claimants. ‘If in doubt, leave it out’ is an unhealthy maxim that authors feel bound to follow. As the law is known to be so helpful to claimants, opportunistic - sometimes wildly extravagant - claims are made by those who can afford to engage lawyers. Authors and publishers feel under pressure to capitulate, regardless of the strength of their case, knowing that defending a libel action is vastly expensive, hugely time-consuming, very worrying and highly unpredictable. That is why we support the campaign to reform the law of libel.”

Natasha Loder, The Economist and President, Association of British Science Writers: “Censorship doesn’t start in the courtroom, it doesn’t start with your editor, it doesn’t even start in the pen, it starts in my brain. The difficulty and cost of defending a libel case mean I am not able to write the truth, which has to be wrong.”

Mark Lewis, Media Lawyer: “Lawyers should be scared of doctors not doctors scared of lawyers.”

Marcus Chown, Author, Journalist and cosmology consultant to New Scientist: “It is depressing and deeply worrying to see the UK libel laws used to gag legitimate scientific debate. If nothing is done to rectify this situation, in the long run all of us, whose lives have been improved by the advances of medicine and science, will suffer.”

Marcus Brigstocke, Writer and Performer: “We urgently need a full review of the way that English libel law affects discussions about evidence. The notion that a scientist with legitimate questions to ask about the veracity of claims made by any practitioner or organisation claiming to serve the public and improve it’s health, should be intimidated into keeping silent for fear that the British legal system will find against him is abhorrent.”

Professor Michael Baum MB, FRCS, ChM, MD, FRCR, Professor Emeritus of Surgery and Visiting Professor of medical humanities, University College London: “The whole scientific community and all those who support evidence and compassion in the care of the sick and all those who think that the search for truth is a laudable activity, must stand shoulder to shoulder with Simon Singh in his fight against a legal system that encourages the propagation of arcane voodoo belief systems whilst inhibiting free speech.”

Diana Garnham, Chief Executive, The Science Council: “Delivery of professional health care should be based on science, not libel laws. It goes without saying that all professional health care scientists must be expected to base their professional practice on scientific methodology, encompassing both a rigorous evidence base and open peer review.”

Professor Les Iversen FRS, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford: “It is shocking that our health service is willing to use taxpayers money to provide alternative treatments that have not been scientifically validated, and even worse is the gagging of journalists who dare to point out the shortcomings of these treatments.”

Nick Ross, Broadcaster: “I spent some time this summer in the high court watching a most unusual libel trial - what made the case so improbable was that the defendant won. Although the verdict was the right one the trial was not an edifying experience. Truth is frequently the casualty of a system that is supposed to ensure truth. A process that purports to protect vulnerable people from pernicious lies more generally protects the rich and acts as a gag on reasonable debate. Just the threat of litigation is often enough to halt rational discussion. And when that gag is applied to science it has particularly distasteful consequences. Science thrives on challenge. It relies on open publication. It can only prosper in an atmosphere of openness. When vested interests seek to censor it we are all endangered. We are now witnessing a spate of legal actions against scientists and science writers. The law suits are against the public interest. And they must galvanise us into reforming the law so that scientists are not bullied into silence in the future.”

Roy Greenslade, Journalist: “I welcome all pressure that is being applied to Government to reform the iniquitous libel laws. We have delayed too long.”

Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science: “We have to show politicians that small tinkering with the libel laws won’t do – we need a real public interest defence. Otherwise, there will be more cases like those against Simon Singh and Peter Wilmshurst, and the libel laws will continue to be the tools of well-funded bullies who want to silence criticism.”

Jonathan Heawood, Director,  English PEN: “Our libel laws allow people accused of funding terrorism or dumping toxic waste in Africa to silence their critics whilst ‘super-injunctions’ stop the public from even knowing that such allegations exist. We need to reform our libel laws now, and that’s why we’re launching a national campaign to persuade our politicians to do so.”

John Kampfner, CEO, Index on Censorship: “If we don’t act we’re at risk of becoming a global pariah. There are US States who view English libel law as so damaging to free speech they have passed laws to effectively block the decisions of English judges. Our report is an important milestone in modernising our antiquated and chilling approach to free expression.”

    Last updated: December 10 2009

Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 20

***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.

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Read the statement

Sign the statement


Previous 1000 names   Next 1000 names


Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated

Halley DeLay  Journalist,USA

Allan   Grant  Engineer,  Project Manager

Denis Morel  Teacher, Japan

Professor Arnold Wilkins  Scientist

Brian Wadie  Retired Research Scientist

Ricardo Oliveira  Nurse,  Portugal

Sam Prince  IT Manager

Dr Ray Mathias  Science Communication Consultant

Donald McIntyre  Retired Scientist

Ruth Doherty  Student

Elizabeth   TaylorPsychologist

David Hopkins  Law Enforcement

Henry Street  Designer,  Engineer

Simon Barber  Regulatory Affairs Biotechnology Manager Canada

Gordon Williams  Retired Scientist

Wyn Pugh   Management Consultant,  Managing Director

Grahaeme Lauder  Teacher

Donald Mackean  Science Teacher/Author

Nicholas   Everitt  Academic,  Honorary Senior Lecturer in Philosophy

Brent Henshaw  Manual Worker

Yuri Tchong  Tax Consultant,  Netherlands

Erica Watson  Retired Science Teacher

Nicholas Sale  Technologist,  Head of Global Practice

Jonathan Smith  HR Manager,  Talent Manager Europe Russia and Caspian

Bernard J Skillerne de Bristowe  Scientist

Alex Gaut  ,  Australia

Garth Carthy  ,  Retired Civil Servant

Ray Essen  Science Writer

Jon Haugstad  Special Teacher,  Norway

Adam Wilson  Scientist

Shirley Williams  Retired Nurse

Rupert Higgins  Student

Robert Hamilton-Bruce  Scientist,  Collection Manager (molluscs),  Australia

Mark Nichols NRM Education Officer,  Australia

jon   clarke  Doctor, Australia

Phil Hyde  Veterinary Surgeon

Anders Deleuran Fajstrup  Economist,Denmark

Nick Campion  Advertising ,  Account Director

Sally Marullo 

Kenneth Shankland  Scientist,  Reader

Robert Fraser  Scientist,  Senior Modeller

Robert Cheetham  Senior Software Engineer,  USA

Francis Turner  Mathematician

Charlotte Jago  Editor

Mike Roden  Writer

Angela Roden  Fundraising Consultant

Martin Holtham  Teacher

Valerie Howells  Associate Lecturer

Christopher Grams  Physicist-to-be

Dan Holmes  Doctor,  Anaesthetic Registrar

Robert Edwards  Translator

Steve   Hopkins  Catering

Nick Evans Lecturer in Radiochemistry

Orjan Berglund  Scientist,  Sweden

Kerstin Berglund Scientist,  Associate Professor, Sweden

Hans   Brostrom  Scientist, Associate Professor of Surgery,  Sweden

Lena Strom  Scientist,  Senior lecturer,  Sweden

Geoffrey Williams  scientist,  Professor of Applied Linguistics,  France

Graham Williams  Humanist Celebrant

Michael Raaymakers  Banking,  Allocation Accountant,  USA

Peter Hargreaves JP LLB(Hons)  Retired

Gabriel Stein  Economist

Kath Stepien 

David Howard  Retired Headteacher

Nick Preston  Clinical Research Fellow

Robert Sinclair  Quality consultant,  Canada

Day Way Goh Consultant Paediatric Surgeon,  Australia

Rebecca Brookes  Project manager,  Canada

cate price  GP,  Australia

Brian Patrick Otter  Retired Programmer

Tony Jenkins  IT Academic/Consultant,  Senior Partner

Naomi Southern  Research Secretary (Health Trials Unit)

Paula Loneragan  Account Manager

Stephen Lisney  Professor of Physiology

Fergus Strachan  Computer Professional

Emma McDonald  Scientist,  Psychology Demonstrator

Anna Edner  Scientist,  Senior lecturer,  Sweden

Andre Dr. Paul  Scientist,  Post-Doctoral Research Officer, Australia

Phil Tanner  Developer,  Webmaster

Pieter Nelson  Freelance Lecturer

Julia Hanna  Doctor,  Australia

Javier Cardona  Entrepreneur,  CEO,  USA

Ben Davidson  Doctor

Angelo Lambiris  Scientist,  Consultant Herpetologist,  South Africa

Elizabeth Gabhart  Student,  USA

Michael Bruorton  GP,  Australia

Robert Liston  Software Developer

Adam Shulman  Copywriter,  Managing Director

Peter Kilian  IT Project Manager

Rachel Forsyth  Head of Education

John Ratford  Scientist

Carlos Alén Silva  Translator,  Freelancer,  Spain

David Jamieson  Coach / Consultant,  Principal

James Craig-Gray  Retired Scientist,  Research Manager

Lee White  Scientist

Charles Lee  Head of Mathematics

Lisa Suares  Law Student

Adam Cribbs  Scientist

Ellis Sareen  Barrister

Bruce Beckles  Scientific Computing Support Specialist

Jay Ongg  Software Developer

Monica Lee  Scientist,  Visiting Professor Northumbria University, Life-Member Lancaster University

 

    Last updated: December 10 2009

Christmas Reading Room 2009

Buy your Christmas gifts from Amazon using the Sense About Science link and part of the proceeds go to Sense About Science!

We’ve collected reading recommendations from some of Sense About Science’s Trustees, Advisory Council, Staff and friends. Every time you purchase one of the books through the flashing links on the right, Amazon will make a small donation to Sense About Science.  So make your gift give twice, and bring some great books to your loved ones in the process!


Sense About Science Trustees

Dr Michael Fitzpatrick recommends…

Tormented Hope: Nine Hypochondriac Lives by Brian Dillon

“A profound and elegantly-written exploration of the troubled interface between mind and body as expressed in the lives and works of literary and historical figures from Charlotte Bronte and Florence Nightingale to Glenn Gould and Andy Warhol.”


Professor Janet Bainbridge recommends…

“The film Sliding Doors is ideal watching over the holiday period. Enthralling, easy to follow with a surprising twist at the end. A relaxing film suitable for young and old.”


Professor Paul Hardaker recommends…

“A bit parochial but I could definitely recommend Mike Hulme’s Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity. It is quite a reflective book.  I liked it as it explores the cultural references that affect the way in which we think about issues of climate change - something that’s been particularly current in my thinking over recent times.  It goes more deeply into the issues about how we view science and uses climate change to explore how belief systems and prejudices affect the decisions we make either individually or as a society.”


Dr Simon Singh recommends…

Inherit the Wind starring Spencer Tracy

“I recommended it last year, but it is worth recommending again in light of Darwin’s anniversary and the Old Vic production of the play. If you are looking for a classic film to watch over Christmas or to put in someone’s stocking, then “Inherit the Wind” is now available on DVD. Spencer Tracy stars in this courtroom drama based on the Scopes “Monkey Trial”, in which evolution was in the dock.”

Can Reindeer Fly? by Roger Highfield

Can Reindeer Fly? is a very festive piece of science writing. Roger Highfield investigates all the scientific aspects of Christmas with wit and charm.”

               

Sense About Science Advisory Council

Professor Sir Colin Berry recommends…

The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes

“This deals with the period at the end of the eighteenth century describing what the author calls the second scientific revolution, following Newton, Hooke and Locke in the seventeenth. He links science with romanticism, showing that Science was related to this apparently inimical concept by the sense of wonder that its protagonists often felt.  There are engaging accounts of Joseph Banks and the effects of Tahiti, of the “oddball” (my word) Mungo Park, of the extraordinary life of the Herschels and what a very strange man Humphry Davy was. There is much that was new to me - did you know that Penzance Grammar School still has a Davy Holiday?  It is not all science and whimsy; the dreadful operation on Fanny Burney’s breast cancer is described in her own words and it is chilling to think that no-one had linked Davy’s experiments with nitrous oxide to the concept of anaesthesia.”


Dr Christie Peacock recommends…

A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland

“For about the last 10 years Sara Maitland has been trying to understand more about silence: what it might mean in 21st century; what effects it has on people; how it has been used and understood in the past; why we are so frightened of it; and why she has come to love it so much.

Her new book is an account of that adventure, a sort of mixture of personal journey and cultural history, both deeply personal and intellectually exciting. In the course of researching and writing the book Maitland spent silent time in silent places - on Skye in the Hebrides; in the Sinai Desert; in forests and mountains; in a flotation tank; in monasteries and libraries. She was trying to match her personal experiences to those of other people - from fairy stories to single-handed sailors, from hermits and romantic poets to prisoners and castaways, from reading and writing to mountaineering and polar exploration, from mythology to psychoanalysis.

The book also touches on the science of silence and the difficulty of defining it as well as identifying it when our bodies are quite noisy! It is an unusual and thought proving book.


Professor Raymond Tallis recommends…

Three Letter Plague by Jonny Steinberg

“It addresses the collision between science-based medicine and traditional bilge in the fight against Aids in South Africa.”




Sense About Science Staff

Tracey Brown recommends…

A History of Histories by John Burrow is a great review of how people have recorded and interpreted events, from the Ancient Greek speeches to the birth of humanist history. I started reading it as a diversion when I was too intensely engaged in work projects to commit to a novel, which is probably why I most enjoyed the early chapters, such as the excursion into the row between Sparta and Athens that led to the Peloponnesian war.”

“But if you do want to lose yourself in a novel, then I can’t recommend enough Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, the fictionalised account of the rise of Thomas Cromwell. I’m the person who ruins films for others by pointing out implausible details, so I was relieved that it’s easy to trust her scholarship enough to be carried into the power vacuum that preceded the split from Rome and Cromwell’s emergence as the fixer.”

Decline of the Public by David Marquand is the book that has influenced my thinking the most this year. While Marquand’s very readable critique of the assaults on civil society and the rise of populism is dispiriting, it inspires some serious thinking about what we should do. You finish it feeling like a man still shipwrecked but now knowing which way land lies.”


Ellen Raphael recommends…

“If you’re looking for DVDs, I highly recommend Mad Men (seasons one and two). Set in the 1960s it follows life at Sterling Cooper advertising agency on Madison Avenue. Its shot beautifully and is really well written initially capturing America’s post war confidence but as the series goes on reflecting the political, social and cultural changes which transform American society. Roll on season three!”

“Hans Fallada, Alone in Berlin. First published in 1947 but translated into English this year, is a dark, gripping novel mostly following the working-class Quangel’s small campaign of resistance against the Nazi regime. It’s not a light read but as it’s based on the authors own observations of living in Nazi Germany is frighteningly authentic.”

“For anyone with children or grandchildren to buy for, my almost 3 year old son loves Peppa Pig and from conversations with other mothers this seems to be universal amongst 3-5yr olds! So I will be buying the Peppa Pig little library for him and all my nieces and nephews.”


Leonor Sierra recommends…

Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar

“The book is divided into 2 parts, half takes part in Paris and the other in Argentina. It has 155 chapters, but 99 are “expendable”, so the main 56 chapters can be read on their own in order, or using the “hopscotch” guide to read the 155 chapters. It is hard to explain what it is about; it feels like it is about everything and I found there is something profoundly sad and lonely about the book and the characters, but also beautiful. Some of the “expendable” chapters read like poetry in prose, and I still often go back to read some of my favourite ones on their own.”


Julia Wilson recommends…

“Christmas is all about eating! So this year I’m going to recommend the Moro Cookbook. It is full of tasty Spanish, Moorish and Mediterranean recipes. The food is inventive with bold flavours but the recipes are simple enough to follow and so far every dish I’ve made has been good. Some great dishes are grilled sardines with chopped fennel, chilli and garlic and beetroot with a garlicky yoghurt dressing. It is full of recipes for exotic marinades, tapas and mezze.”

Atonement by Ian McEwan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a really gripping read and the best McEwan I have read so far. It tells the story of Bryony and the life changing mistake she makes as a young girl, the effects this has on her sister and her sisters lover, and Bryony’s own effort to make amends. It is set before, during and after the Second World War and deals with some really devastating situations and drifts between truth and imagination.”






VoYS members

Jay Stone recommends…

Head Trip by Jeff Warren

“I have only just started this book but I am finding it hard to put down.Warren writes from a personal perspective exploring consciousness and attempts to define exactly what it is. In doing so he discovers it is even more complex then he, or you the reader probably first thought. An enjoyable eye opener!”

The Resistance by Muse

“For their newest album muse decided to go it alone and become their own record producers. The result is a mixed bag of heavy rock songs similar to their ‘Origin of Symmetry’ days, an RnB sound in their new single ‘Undisclosed Desires’ and some big string orchestral melodies in their trilogy of final songs. There really is a song for everyone on this album and with a large back catalogue for any new fan to explore I think it is a must have for anyone’s CD collection!”


Amanda Hughes recommends…

My Brother is an Only Child starring Elio Germano

“Not science-related but still well worth watching, this Italian film was made recently but is set in the 1960s. It follows two brothers growing up in a small town outside Rome, as they define themselves both through their emerging political views and in contrast to each other. This is both hilarious and poignant for anyone who can relate to the trials of sibling rivalry,  the confusion of early love, or the bittersweet nature of political idealism.”





Friends of Sense About Science

Dr Alan Dangour recommends…

Hidden Arguments: political ideology and disease prevention policy by Sylvia Nobel Tesh

“This is a fantastic book originally published in 1988 (and a little hard to get hold of) which I was told about by my colleague Prof. Ian Roberts.  Using three case studies, Tesh describes how forces working at different levels act to define the causes, and the possible ways to prevent, disease - in essence the clash between science and belief. The section on “why scientists disagree” is worth the cover charge alone!”


Allen Green, writer of the Jack of Kent Blog recommends…

The Fables comics by Bill Willingham

“As a geek I need not apologise for recommending comic books. But there is rather something special about the Fables comics, which have been collected into a fine series of trade paperbacks. Writer Bill Willingham started with a simple idea: what if the characters of folklore, nursey rhymes, and fairy tales were somehow transplanted into our mundane world? Fables begins with King Cole, Prince Charming, Snow White, and many others, in exile from their legendary homelands and living together in a New York towerblock.

 

As we think we “know” the characters, Fables does not waste any time in initial characterization, and so the reader is pulled quickly into some excellent plots:a murder mystery, a rebellion, a crime caper. And during these plots the politics and romances of the characters develop, and one soon becomes more interested in the Fables character than its counterpart in the original story or rhyme. Matching this superb writing is wonderful art, both on the covers and inside. Fables has already established itself as a modern classic, and it is fortunate that new readers can come on board whilst the stories are still continuing. Start with volume 1 here and enjoy.”


Francisca Sankson recommends…

Choral Society by Prue Leith

“If you are a serious scientist I think a story about three feisty women facing old age, retirement, late love and personal upheavals might provide a welcome bit of escapism.”


Dr Andrew Russell recommends…

Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth by Apostolos Doxiadis andChristos Papadimitriou

“Before reading this, I must confess that I knew very little about Bertrand Russell, graphic novels or the turmoil and subsequent revolution that mathematics underwent in the 20th Century. Now, I want to find out more about all three! Beautifully drawn and well researched, the story takes you through Russell’s personal and professional relationships and struggles. It left me feeling that I’d been introduced to a really important subject (without going into the maths!) that most people are unaware of.”


These Books Are Personal Recommendations And Do Not Represent Any Endorsement By Sense About Science

    Last updated: December 04 2009

reception

rolling slide show

    Last updated: November 18 2009

Free Speech Is Not For Sale

On Tuesday 10th November 2009 Index on Censorship and English PEN released the Free Speech Is Not For Sale report on the impact of English libel laws on freedom of expression.


Read the report here

Read Sir Ken McDonald’s speech at the launch of the report here







Simon Singh spoke at the launch, saying: “The report is a stark summary of why authors, journalists, bloggers, scientists and other academics around the world fear being sued for libel in the English courts. America has already realised that there is something fundamentally wrong with our system and is taking action. American states are beginning to pass laws to protect their citizens from libel actions in the English courts. The problem with English libel laws is not so much that they stop me from writing about important issues, but rather that they stop you from reading about such issues. If the US stops exporting its free press to us, this will be the ultimate proof.” Read more here

    Last updated: May 07 2010

Latest endorsements

THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE ENDORSED THE PRINCIPLES SET OUT HERE INDIVIDUALLY, NOT ON BEHALF OF THEIR INSTITUTIONS OR COMMITTEES:

Dr Dima Abdulrahim

Dr Matthew Hickman

Dr Ian Ragan

Professor Peter Matthiessen

Professor Gustav Born FRCP FRS

Professor Anthony D Dayan DM FRCP FRCPath FFPM FFOM

Professor Anthony T Barker

Christine Gratus

Professor Sir Colin Berry

Professor Terence Stephenson

Professor Tom Meade DM FRCP FMedSci FRS

Hazel Thornton

Lord Broers Kt FRS

Sir Richard Peto FRS

Dr Fiona Measham

Dr Margaret Birtwistle

Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS

Professor Christopher Kennard FMedSci

Dr John Marsden

Professor David Barnett CBE MD FRCP

Professor John Shepherd FRS

Dr Polly Taylor MRCA MRCVS

Professor John McWhirter FRS FREng

Professor Joyce Tait CBE FRSE

Professor Les Iversen FRS

Professor John Geddes

Professor Peter Atkins FRSC

Professor M P Vessey CBE FRS FMedSci

Professor David J Nutt MRCP MRCPsych FRCPsych FMedSci

Professor Alan Bundy

Professor Sir Brian Hoskins CBE FRS

Professor Norman N Greenwood FRS

Professor Neville Moray

Lord Lewis of Newnham FRS

Professor John E Moore

Professor Peter Liss CBE FRS

Lord Flowers FRS

Professor Sir Richard Gardner FRS

Professor Richard Morris FRS

Professor Vincent Walsh

Professor Christopher F Higgins FRSE FRSA FMedSci

Professor Peter J Aggett OBE FRCP FRCPCH

Professor Michael J Kelly FRS FREng

Professor Brian G Spratt CBE FRS FMedSci

Professor Denis Noble CBE FRS Hon FRCP

Professor Malcolm Ferguson-Smith FRS

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins

Professor Trevor Stuart FIC FRS

Professor Sir Paul Nurse FRS

Professor Sir Walter Bodmer FRS FMedSci

Professor Richard Perham FRS FMedSci

Sir John Kingman FRS

Professor Peter Hudson FRS

Professor Dame Kay Davies CBE DBE FMedSci FRS

Professor Robin A Weiss FRS FMedSci

Professor Guy Poppy

Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng

Ian Brown OBE FRCP FFOM

Professor Jon Ayres FRCP FFOM

Professor Sheila M Bird CStat FFPH

Professor Janet Bainbridge

Professor Colin Blakemore FMedSci FRCP (Hon) FIBiol (Hon) FRS

Professor Alan R Boobis OBE PhD FSB CBiol FBTS

Professor David Coggon FMedSci

Sir David Cox FRS

Professor Robert Curnow

Professor Peter Farmer

Diana Garnham

Professor Azra Ghani

Professor Peter Green FRS

Professor Andrew P. Grieve

Professor David Hand

Professor Rosemary Hails MBE

Professor Sir Gabriel Horn FRS

Professor Will Irving

Professor Alan Jackson

Lord Krebs Kt FRS FMed Sci

Professor Chris Leaver CBE FRS FRSE

Professor Denise Lievesley CStat ACSS

Professor Duncan Maskell

Lord May OM AC Kt FRS

Professor David H. Phillips

Professor Michael Pilling

Professor Chris Pollock CBE

Professor Chris Rapley CBE

Professor David J Read FRS

Lord Rees of Ludlow

Professor Martin Taylor FRS

Professor Dame Jean Thomas DBE FRS FMedSci

    Last updated: January 25 2010

Simon Singh has the following message for donors:

Your support now can really help us. Campaigning requires a great deal of effort, time and resources, and additional financial support will help the campaign to have a major influence.

Many people have very generously offered to contribute to my legal costs. At the moment, however, I am able to fund my legal battle, so I am reluctant to accept donations for the time being. Moreover, I think that there are more deserving causes that would very much benefit from donors who are concerned about my case and the state of English libel laws.

We investigated the possibility of a support fund for writers who find themselves in facing a libel action in the future. The harsh reality of English libel laws and their chilling effect is that the best way to help writers is to reform the libel laws.

Your support so far has been great. Please continue to support us by donating to the campaign for libel reform.

Click the ad to take up this offer

Click here to go back to the donate page.

    Last updated: November 09 2009

Donate to the libel reform campaign

The campaign to keep libel laws out of science, which you have done so much to build, is going to work with Index on Censorship and EnglishPEN to lobby for libel law reform. The development of manifesto pledges in the run up to the 2010 elections is a unique opportunity to secure commitment to reform.

If you can help us, we can do this now. If everybody who has offered support donates 10 pounds we, along with Index on Censorship and EnglishPEN, will be able to continue meeting with front benchers and advisors who can influence libel law reform, organising and attending national events and producing campaign materials for supporters to use.

See below for how to donate

Click the ad to take up this offer


Simon Singh has the following message for donors: “Your support now can really help us…” Read on



Easy ways to donate

1. Donate to us via Justgiving. You can donate using all major debit/credit cards and also via Paypal.

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If you choose this option, you will need the following information:

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4. To donate using your Paypal account, you can use JustGiving. See above for details and link to donate.

    Last updated: November 09 2009

Support the Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice

Please fill in the form below if you are scientist with experience of giving advice to the Government, and want to publicly support the Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice.

     
Name  
Institution  
Position  
Department  
Email address (Please provide an address or phone for verification purposes)  
Daytime telephone number  
Relevant advisory and committee experience
(e.g. membership of committees and terms)
 
Additional comments
 
   

    Last updated: November 09 2009

Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice

Senior scientists and scientific advisers issued a statement on 6th November 2009 in response to the controversy following the sacking of Professor David Nutt, chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice sets out to Government three principles: academic freedom, independence of operation and proper consideration of advice.

The principles were drafted following several days of intense discussion across the scientific community. They have attracted the support of a number of Chairs and other members of independent Scientific Advisory Committees and have been transmitted to Government for a response.

If you are a scientist with any form of experience of giving advice to the Government and would like to join in endorsing these principles, you can click here to do so electronically, or call Leonor Sierra on 020 7478 4380.


 


Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice

Many factors (cost, public opinion, legal constraints, international obligations etc) might influence the development of policy, but reliable evidence and expert advice provide the crucial foundations of good decision-making.

Expert advice to Government comes from many sources, including external consultants, learned societies and external independent organisations, departmental statisticians and scientists and the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. However, the Government's independent advisory bodies, composed of scientists and other experts who provide their service without payment, play a crucial role. The importance of safeguarding the independence and objectivity of these committees has been explicitly recognised by Government and the wider society since the Phillips Report (2000) into the BSE crisis.

The procedures for obtaining scientific and other expert advice are laid out in the Government's Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making. Independent advisers have responsibilities defined by the Government Office for Science’s Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, as well as the Terms of Reference and Codes for individual bodies, Advisers are expected to offer their best and fairest interpretation of the available evidence and of the range of opinion among experts.

Courtesy, professionalism, and recognition of the division of responsibilities (including the recognition that it is the ultimate responsibility of the Government to decide policy) should underpin the relationship between Government and its independent advisers.

The following Principles, which summarise key features of the relationship between ministers and independent advisers, as expressed in the Codes and Guidelines, are aimed at underpinning the quality and impartiality of evidence and the independence of advisers, as well as recognising the distinctions between evidence, advice and policy. Adherence by Government to these Principles will enhance confidence in the system and will help secure sound evidence and the best advice.

The Principles

  1. Academic Freedom
    Members of independent advisory groups are unpaid experts, most of whom have professional careers and reputations that depend on freedom to express their views openly and without restriction, and which may be of higher priority to them than providing advice to Government.
    • Members of independent advisory committees are free to communicate about their interpretation of evidence, whether via scholarly publication and conferences, through the general media or to parliament, subject to normal standards of professional conduct and the restrictions in existing Codes of Practice, notably:
      • respecting confidentiality,
      • not claiming to speak for the Government, and
      • making clear whether communication is on behalf of their committees

    Where independent advisers are required to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, for reasons of national security, etc, these should be confined to specified areas of committee work, objectively justified, publicly acknowledged and regularly reviewed.

  2. Independence of Operation
    The ability to attract advisers of the highest quality, and public trust in the advisory system, depend on the actual and perceived independence of advisory bodies. This independence includes the right of advisors to public discussion about evidence and advice that are not accepted by Government, within the constraints of professional conduct.
    • Appointments to advisory bodies should be made by a transparent process, and on the basis of expertise
    • Independent advisory bodies are protected from political and other interference in their work and in communication of their findings
    • Advisory committees have the right of access to an independent press office
    • The public articulation of advice and discussion of its treatment by Government by advisers, even when that advice has not been accepted by government, cannot, of itself, be grounds for censure, sanction or dismissal.
  3. Proper Consideration of Advice
    Evidence depends on the rigorous analysis of data; advice should be firmly based on evidence but inevitably reflects opinion and interpretation; policy may be influenced by considerations other than expert advice. Both the evidence and the advice provided by expert committees should be thoroughly and seriously considered by ministers.
    • Reports from committees will be published subject to legitimate constraints. Ministers should not prejudge advisory committee reports by criticising or rejecting them prior to publication.
    • If the Government is minded to reject a recommendation, the relevant advisory committee will normally be consulted before a final decision is made
    • It is recognised that some policy decisions are contingent on factors other than scientific evidence, but when expert advice is rejected, the expectation is that the reasons would clearly be set out.
    • The evidence provided by expert committees does not cease to be valid if their advice is rejected or not reflected in policy

Ministers may choose to challenge or reject advice, but in doing so they should avoid misrepresenting evidence or criticising the individuals giving the advice.

In the case of doubt about the reliability of evidence presented by independent advisers, or the conduct of advisers, ministers should confer with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.

The Government Chief Scientific Adviser should also be consulted by independent advisers if they feel that the Principles are not being upheld.



We ask the Government to affirm its support for these principles.



THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE ENDORSED THE PRINCIPLES INDIVIDUALLY, NOT ON BEHALF OF THEIR INSTITUTIONS OR COMMITTEES:

Dr Dima Abdulrahim

Senior researchers, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse
Member of Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (2002-)

Professor Peter J Aggett OBE FRCP FRCPCH

Emeritus Professor Child Health and Nutrition, University of Central Lancashire
Vice Chair Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition FSA/DH (2000-)
Member Committee on Medical Aspects of Nutrition and Food Policy, DH (1993- 2000)
Chairman of COMA Panel on Nutritional Assessment of Infant Formulas (1995-1996)
Chairman of COMA Working Group on Nutritional Status of the Population (1995-1998)
Vice Chairman Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment DH/FSA (1998-2003; Member 1993- 2003)
Chair of COT Working Group on Variability and Uncertainty in Toxicology Risk Assessment (2007)
Chairman of COT Working Group on Food Intolerance in the Population (1997-2000)
Vice Chair of COT Working Group on Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides and similar Substances (2000-2002)
Member Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1994-2000 & 2002-3)
Member European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (1993-96)

Professor Peter Atkins FRSC

Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Oxford
Fellow, Lincoln College, Oxford
Former chairman, IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education

Professor Jon Ayres FRCP FFOM

Chair, Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)
Chair, Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP)

Professor Anthony T Barker

Consultant Clinical Scientist, Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Member of SAGE, government funded Stakeholder Advisory Group on ELF EMFs

Professor David Barnett CBE MD FRCP

Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leicester
Chair Appraisals Committee for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (1999 - 2009)

Professor Sir Colin Berry

Emeritus Professor of Pathology, Queen Mary London
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Pesticides (1988 – 1999); Member (1981–1988)
Chairman, Scientific Sub-Committee on Pesticides (1985 – 1988); Member (1977-1985)
Chairman, Committee of Dental and Surgical Materials (1982 – 1992); Member (1978-1981)
Member, Toxicology Group, Expanded Programme on Human Reproduction, World Health Organization (1979-1992)
Member, Committee of Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (1984-1989)
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines (1990–1992)
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines Advisory Panel (1994-2002)
Member, Scientific Committee for Pesticides of the Commission of the European Communities (1985 – 1989)

Professor Sheila M. Bird CStat FFPH

MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge
Member of Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee
Inaugural chair of Home Office's Surveys, Design and Statistics Subcommittee and member of Home Office's Scientific Advisory Committee (2004-2009)
Member of Medicines Commission (1991-1995)
First Statistician Member of Appraisal Committee for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ( 1999-2005)
Member of Ad Hoc TSE/BSE Sub-Group of EC Scientific Steering Committee (1999 - 2003)
Member of Scientific Committee for European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (2001-2005)
Member of Arrestees Survey Scientific Advisory Group (2003 – 2006)
Member of Government Chief Scientist's Review Panel on use of science by Home Office (2007)
Member of Medical Research Council /Department Health Research Advisory Group on TSEs (1998-2004)
Member of Research Council/Department of Health Steering Group for Studies of the prevalence of detectable PrP^SC (1999- 2004).

Professor Janet Bainbridge

Chair of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1997- 2003)
Chair of the GM Organisms (contained use) Advisory Committee
Formerly Vice President Government and Europe of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)
Chair of the HSE Committee Scientific Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (2003 - )
Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1997 - 2003)
Member of ACRE (Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment)
Member of the MHRA Borderline substances review group
Former Senior Specialist Advisor (Government and Europe) OneNorthEast Regional Development Agency

Dr Margaret Birtwistle

General Practitioner Consultant in Addictive Behaviour
Senior Tutor in Addictive Behaviour, St Georges, University of London
Member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)

Professor Colin Blakemore FMedSci FRCP (Hon) FIBiol (Hon) FRS

Professor of Neuroscience, Oxford University
Chair of the Food Standards Agency's General Advisory Committee on Science
Chair of the Health Protection Agency’s Electromagnetic Fields Discussion Group
Commissioner of the UK Drug Policy Commission

Professor Sir Walter Bodmer FRS FMedSci

Head of Cancer and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Oxford University
Former Chairman, National Radiological Protection Board (NPRB, now part of HPA)
Former President, Royal Statistical Society
Former Director General, ICRF (now part of CRUK)
Formerly member of the Advisory Board of the Research Councils
Formerly member of the Biology Board of the Medical Research Council

Professor Alan R Boobis OBE FSB CBiol FBTS

Dept of Experimental Medicine and Toxicology, Division of Investigative Science, Imperial College London
Member of UK Advisory Committee on Pesticides (1997-2002)
Deputy chairman (2000-2002)
Chairman of Medical and Toxicology Panel (2000-2002)
Member of the Veterinary Residues Committee (2001-2004)
Member of the European Food Safety Authority Scientific Panel on Plant Health, Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) (2003-2009); vice-chair from 2006-2009
Member of European Food Safety Authority Scientific Committee Working group on the Benchmark Dose (2006-2009)
Member of European Food Safety Authority Scientific Committee Working Group on Risk-Benefit Assessment (2007-)
Member of the European Food Safety Authority Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) (2009-)
Member of WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Food Safety (1997-)
Member of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (1999-); Chair/vice-chair (2003-2007)
Member of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (Residues of Veterinary Drugs) (1997-)
Member of HPA Board Sub-Committee for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (2005-)
Member of Committee on Carcinogenicity (2003-)
Member of Committee on Toxicity (2003-); vice-chair from 2008

Professor Gustav Born FRCP FRS

Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of London
Member, Committee on Inquiry on the Relationship of the Pharmaceutical Industry with the National Health Services (1965-1967)

Lord Broers Kt FRS

Past President, Royal Academy of Engineering
Past President, now Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee
Past Member, CST

Ian Brown OBE FRCP FFOM

Chairman of the Pesticide Residues Committee
Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs
Member of the General Advisory Committee on Science
Member of the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances

Professor Alan Bundy

Professor of Automated Reasoning, University of Edinburgh
Scottish Scientific Advisory Council

Professor David Coggon FMedSci

Occupational and Environmental Health, MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton University
Chair, Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (2008 - )
Member, Operation TELIC Health Research Programme Review Board (2003 - )
Chair, Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme Management Committee (2008 - )
FSA General Advisory Committee on Science (2008 - )
Chair of the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (Ministry of Defence) (2001-2007)
Chair of the UK government’s Advisory Committee on Pesticides (2000-05)
Member of the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (Health Protection Agency)
Member of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
Member of the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards
Member of the Stewart Committee on Mobile Phone Technology

Sir David Cox FRS

Former President, Royal Statistical Society

Professor Robert Curnow

Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health
Epidemiology Sub-Group of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
Former President, Royal Statistical Society

Professor Dame Kay Davies CBE DBE FMedSci FRS

Head of Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford

Professor Anthony D Dayan DM FRCP FRCPath FFPM FFOM

Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, St Bertholomews and the Royal London Hospitals, QMC, University of London
Former member of Medicines Commission Veterinary Products
Former member of Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
Former member of Committee on Toxicity
Former member of Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)
Former member of Advisory Committee on Pesticides
Former member of Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
Advisory Committee on Animal Experimentation
Advisory Committee on Radiation in the Environment
Advisory Committee on Industrial Chemicals

Dr Peter M B English

Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Health Protection Agency
Various bodies relating to vaccination, including National Child Health Immunisations Programme Board

Professor Peter Farmer

Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester
Chair of Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM)
Member of Committee on Carcinogenicity (COC)
Member of General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS)

Professor Malcolm Ferguson-Smith FRS

Emeritus Professor of Pathology, University of Cambridge
Member of Committee, BSE Inquiry

Lord Flowers FRS

Former Rector, Imperial College London
Former Chairman, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

Professor Sir Richard Gardner FRS

Honorary Professor and Emeritus Royal Society Professor, Universities of Oxford and of York
Advisory Board for the Research Councils 1988-1992

Diana Garnham

Chief Executive, The Science Council
Chair DBIS Science and Society Science for Careers Expert Group

Professor Azra Ghani

Member of Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (2007- )

Professor John Geddes

Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry, University of Oxford
Member, Technology Appraisal Committee, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2003- )
Member, Health Services and Public Health Research Board, Medical Research Council (2006-2008)
Member, Neuroscience and Mental Health Board, Medical Research Council (2008- )

Christine Gratus

Independent 'lay' representative Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2003 - )
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (2006 - )

Professor Peter Green FRS

Professor of Statistics, University of Bristol
Former President, Royal Statistical Society

Professor Norman N Greenwood FRS

Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds
Member of numerous Government Boards and Advisory Committees during a period of over 40 years

Professor Andrew P. Grieve BSc MSc PhD

Division of Health & Social Care Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, King's College
Member of UK Food Standards Agency Working party on Variation and Uncertainty in Toxicology Working Party (2004 - 2005)
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Ad Hoc Expert Group on Bioequivalence (2007 - )
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Expert Advisory Group on Clinical Trials (2007 - )
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Ad Hoc Expert Group Antibiotics in pre-term labour (2008-2008)

Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng

Thales/Royal Academy of Engineering Chair of Radio Frequency Sensors, University College London
Chair, Campaign for Science & Engineering

Professor David Hand

President, Royal Statistical Society

Professor Rosemary Hails MBE

Section Head, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Member of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
Member for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Environment Working group
Chair, Natural Capital Initiative

Dr Matthew Hickman

Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Professor Christopher F Higgins FRSE FRSA FMedSci

Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University
Chair, Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Professor Sir Gabriel Horn FRS

Emeritus Professor, Department of Zoology, Cambridge
Chairman, Working Party Report to Department of Health, Brain science, addiction and drugs Acad Medical Science (2008)
Chairman, Working Party Report to DEFRA, Review of the origin of BSE (2001)
Chairman, Cambridge University Government Programme (1997-2007)

Professor Sir Brian Hoskins CBE FRS

Meteorology Department, University of Reading
Director of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College
Member of Climate Change Committee
Chair Science Review of UKCP09 for Defra, Jan 2009

Professor Peter Hudson FRS

Director of Life Sciences, Penn State University
Previous Science Advisor to The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture

Professor Will Irving

Professor of Virology, University of Nottingham
Advisory Group on Hepatitis: Member (1998-2005), Deputy Chair (2006-08), Chair (2009-)
Member of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (2003-)
Co-opted Member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Hepatitis C Prevention Working Group (2007-09)
Chair of the Trent Cohort Study of Patients infected with Hepatitis C Virus

Professor Les Iversen FRS

Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of Oxford
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2003- )

Professor Alan Jackson

Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton
Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, Food Standards Agency / Dept of Health (2000-)
Member, Committee on Medical Aspects of Food & Nutrition Policy (COMA), Dept of Health (1991-2000)
Chairman, Working Expert Group on diet & Cancer to COMA, Dept of Health (1993 – 1998)
Member, Working expert Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population, and Folic Acid Subgroup to COMA, Dept of Health (1995 - )

Professor Michael J Kelly FRS FREng

Prince Philip Professor of Technology, University of Cambridge
Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Communities and Local Government Former Member of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council

Professor Christopher Kennard FMedSci

Head, Department of Clincal Neurology, University of Oxford
Chairman, Neuroscience and Mental Health Board, Medical Research Council

Dr Leslie A King

Former member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (2008-2009)

Sir John Kingman FRS

Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge
Chairman, Science & Engineering Research Council (1981-85)
Chairman, Statistics Commission (2000-03)

Lord Krebs Kt FRS FMed Sci

Principal, Jesus College, Oxford
Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency (2000-2005)
Member and Chair of sub-group for UK Climate Change Committee
Chairman of the Royal Society's Science Policy Advisory Group
Chairman, UK Science and Technology Honours Committee
Chair, enquiry by the Science and Technology Select Committee into Nanotechnology and Food (2009)

Professor Chris Leaver CBE FRS FRSE

Emeritus Professor of Plant Science, University of Oxford
Former member of ACOST
Member of GM Science Review

Lord Lewis of Newnham FRS

Former Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Former Chairman, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

Professor Denise Lievesley CStat ACSS

Professor of Social Statistics and Head of School of Social Science and Public Policy, King's College London
Former president of the Royal Statistical Society and the International Statistical Institute

Professor Peter Liss CBE FRS

Professorial Fellow, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Global Environmental Change Committee
Marine Science Coordination Committee: Chair of Marine Data and Information Network, and Chair Underwater Sound Forum

Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS

Head of Division, Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research
Co-opted member, Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee of the HFEA
Ad hoc advice to Government and Parliament on issues to do with embryology, stem cells and genetics, for example leading up to the HFE Act (2008)

Dr John Marsden

Reader in Addiction Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2005 - 2009)

Professor Duncan Maskell

Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Marks and Spencer Professor of Farm Animal Health, Food Science and Food Safety

Professor Peter Matthiessen

Independent Consultant in Ecotoxicology
Member of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, and its Environmental Panel
Former member of the Biocides Consultative Committee

Lord May OM AC Kt FRS

Joint Professorship Oxford University and Imperial College, London
Former President of The Royal Society (2000-2005)
Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government
Head of the UK Office of Science and Technology (1995-2000)
Member of the UK Government’s Climate Change Committee

Klim McPherson PhD FFPH FMedSci

Visiting Professor of Public Health Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Chair, NICE PDG on prevention of CVD in populations
Chair, National Heart Forum
Member Cross Government expert group on obesity
Member of CSM (1997-2003)
Member Expert groups on women's health (2004-2009)
Expert advisor to ACMD (2003-2008)

Professor John McWhirter FRS FREng

Distinguished Research Professor, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
Former Government Scientist (MoD)
Former President of the Institute of Mathematics (IMA)
Chair of the Council of Mathematical Sciences

Professor Tom Meade DM FRCP FMedSci FRS

Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Chairman (1976) and member of Joint Standing Sub-Committee on Screening in Medical Care (1972-77)
Member of Adverse Reactions Sub-Committee of Committee on Safety of Medicines (1976-82)
Member of joint CSM/JCVI Sub-Committee on Adverse Reactions to Vaccines and Immunological Products (1980-82)
Member GO-Science Review of Department of Health (2007-2008)

Dr Fiona Measham

Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Lancaster University
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD

Professor John E Moore

Clinical Microbiologist, Belfast City Hospital

Professor Neville Moray

Emeritus Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology, University of Surrey
Member of the HSE Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee

Professor Richard Morris FRS

Professor of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh
Coordinator, Foresight Project on Cognitive Systems, Office of Science and Technology, DTI (2002-2006)

Professor Denis Noble CBE FRS Hon FRCP

Emeritus Professor and Director of Computational Physiology, University of Oxford
Chairman of Joint Dental Committee (MRC and Departments of Health) 1984-1990
Former Member of government Advisory Group on Science and Technology in Japan
Member of government Advisory Group on Science, Technology and Industry in Korea (DTI) 1994-2004
Member of Advisory Group on non-ionizing radiation (AGNIR), Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Chairman of sub-group of AGNIR on Ultrasound

Professor Sir Paul Nurse FRS

President, Rockefeller University
Member of Council of Science and Technology

Professor David J Nutt MRCP MRCPsych FRCPsych FMedSci

Edmond J SafraChair in Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD); member (2000-2009); chair (2008-2009)

Professor Richard Perham FRS FMedSci

Emeritus Professor of Structural Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

Sir Richard Peto FRS

Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Member of former DH Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco or Health

Professor David H Phillips

Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden
Chair, Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Member of Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Member of General Advisory Committee on Science

Professor Michael Pilling

Chair, Air Quality Expert Group 2001-2009

Professor Chris Pollock CBE

Director of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth University
Chair of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) (1999-)
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of the First Minister of Wales (Welsh Assembly Government)
Chair of the independent Scientific Steering Committee for the programme of farm-scale evaluations of GM crops
Chair, Defra Research Priorities Group for Sustainable Farming and Food

Professor Guy Poppy

Head of School, Biological Sciences, University of Southampton
Advisory work for EU, EFSA and DEFRA on the environmental risks of GM crops (1996-)
Member of Prime Minsiters Strategy Unit evaluation team of GM crops (2003-2004)
Member of Parliamentary and Scientific Committee Delegation to China (2000)

Dr Ian Ragan

Former Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2008-2009)

Professor Chris Rapley CBE

Director, Science Museum
Professor of Climate Science, University College London

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins

Chairman, National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Chairman, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (1998-2008)

Professor David J Read FRS

Former Vice President of the Royal Society
Chair of Forestry Commission Advisory Board on Forest Research

Lord Rees of Ludlow

President of the Royal Society

Professor John Shepherd FRS

Professorial Research Fellow, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Member, DEFRA Scientific Advisory Committee & Council (2002-2009) Member, EC Scientific & Technical Committee for Fisheries (1983-1986)

Professor Brian G Spratt CBE FRS FMedSci

Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Imperial College London
Chair, Royal Society Working Group on Health Hazards of Depleted Uranium Munitions (2000-2003)
Member, Depleted Uranium Oversight Board, Ministry of Defence (2001-2006)
Chair, Independent Review of Safety of Facilities Handling Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, DEFRA 2007
Member, Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (1997-2001)
Independent Review for Ministry of Defence on The Health Hazards of the Large-scale Release of Bacteria during the Dorset Defence Trials 1999
Member of Council, Defence Scientific Advisory Council (2005-2008)

Professor Terence Stephenson

President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines

Professor Trevor Stuart FIC FRS

Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Imperial College London
Member, Council of Science and Engineering Research Council (1989-1994)
Former President of the London Mathematical Society (2000-2002)

Professor Joyce Tait CBE FRSE

Scientific Adviser, ESRC Innogen Centre, University of Edinburgh
Chair, Nuffield Council on Bioethics Working Party on 'New Approaches to Biofuels'
Member, Scottish Science Advisory Council
Member, Industry and Science Expert Group
UK Government Cabinet Office Strategy Unit Study on Costs and Benefits of GM Crops
Ex-President, Society for Risk Analysis, Europe

Professor Martin Taylor FRS

Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society

Dr Polly Taylor MRCA MRCVS

European Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol br> Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2002 - )

Professor Dame Jean Thomas DBE FRS FMedSci

Biological Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society
Professor of Macromolecular Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

Hazel Thornton

Honorary Visiting Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester Independent 'Lay' Member, Steering Group for the Department of Health NHS Connecting for Health Public Consultation on the Additional Uses of Patient Data

Professor M P Vessey CBE FRS FMedSci

Emeritus Professor of Public Health, University of Oxford
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Bowel Cancer Screening
Member, MHRA Women's Health Expert Advisory Group
Member, HPA Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation: Subgroup on Solid Cancer Risk

Professor Vincent Walsh

Professor of Human Brain Research, UCL
Office of Science & Technology Foresight Life Sciences panel (2002-2003)
Royal Society Animal Sciences Committee (2001 - 2009)
Medical Research Council Quinquennial Review Committee of Cognition and Brain Unit, Cambridge (2009)
Medical Research Council Cognitive Neuroscience Strategy Group (2009)
Medical Research Council Neuroscience & Mental Health Board (2005-2010)
Medical Research Council Basic Research Oversight Group (2005-2008)

Professor Robin A Weiss FRS FMedSci

Professor of Viral Oncology, University College London
Former President of the Society for General Microbiology
Former member of the Department of Health Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
Former member of the Department of Health Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
National Biological Standards Board

The Board of the Food Standards Agency has also endorsed the statement. See here.

If you are a scientist with any form of experience of giving advice to the Government and would like to join in endorsing these principles, you can click here to do so electronically, or call Leonor Sierra on 020 7478 4380.

    Last updated: March 29 2010

Science and Policy

***UNDER CONSTRUCTION***

    Last updated: November 03 2009

Making Sense of Weather and Climate

***Under construction***

    Last updated: November 02 2009

Making Sense of Screening

Scientists, clinicians and medics have come together to express their concerns that public expectations about screening don’t match what screening programmes can deliver.

High profile cases, such as Kylie Minogue’s treatment for breast cancer and Jade Goody’s death from cervical cancer, have made screening an emotive and politicised subject. They have led to demands (and political promises) that more sections of the population should be included in screening programmes, for longer and more frequently. They have prompted complaints that screening programmes are dictated purely by financial calculations. Amidst all this, the limitations and possible harms from screening have been largely lost from public view and this has led to unrealistic expectations of what screening can deliver.

By addressing misconceptions about how screening works, its limitations and the calculation of benefits and harms, the scientists and clinicians hope to bridge the gap between the active debates of the scientific community and the concerns raised by the public.

In the guide, Making Sense of Screening, they explain that screening:

  • rarely benefits all sections of the population and it can have negative effects, so it needs to be targeted at those most likely to benefit.
  • can identify some of the people who have a disease but it cannot prevent disease.
  • cannot give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer and an ‘all clear’ does not mean you will not go on to develop the disease.

Comments:

Anne Mackie, Director of Programmes, UK National Screening Committee: “I very much welcome this guide. People often think screening is instinctively a good thing; how could finding something early possibly be otherwise? It is crucial that, as the number of screening programmes offered rises, everyone understands what screening can and cannot do for them and so is able to decide for themselves.”

Professor Sir Muir Gray, Chief Knowledge Officer of the NHS: “Sense About Science has hit the nail on the head again; this is accurate and clear and should be read by all health professionals as well as by members of the public. Those who run screening programmes have a difficult job and better understanding about the risks, harms and benefits of screening will make their job easier, not more difficult.”

Síle Lane, Sense About Science:  “Sense About Science this year experienced a huge rise in public concerns about screening. Many people are worrying that they are being denied important healthcare. No wonder they felt like that. When we reviewed internet forums and health stories, we found that there was hardly any reference to the calculations of benefits and harms, which specialists kept telling us were vital to deciding who to screen and for what.”

Martyn Lobley, GP and columnist: “This report should be left lying around in bus stations, fast food joints and by supermarket checkouts so that the people who really need screening, the “Not Worried Well” who don’t see their GP from one year to the next, might be persuaded to get with the programme.”

Hedley Glencross, The Institute of Biomedical Science: “Screening has become a high-profile issue and is the topic of much public debate, not least due to the individual stories that have been widely reported in the popular media. Screening though is often a poorly understood healthcare initiative whose benefits and limitations need to be explained.”

Professor Peter Furness, President, Royal College of Pathologists:  “Screening for disease looks like a really simple concept, but actually it’s rather complicated.  If you don’t know the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test, you should read this booklet.”

Caroline Wright, Head of Science, PHG Foundation: “This is a timely report; advances in genetics are offering us exciting new opportunities for improved screening, but it is important to be clear that - just like other tests - genetics is not a crystal ball and the risks and benefits must always be carefully weighed up.”

Joe O’Meara, Government Affairs Officer, The Association of Clinical Biochemistry: “There is a great deal of discussion going on about screening both in the public arena and in private. I believe that this publication provides the factual information needed to inform those discussions and to help people make the best decisions for themselves on the matter.”

Coverage

Marie Stopes International Charity warns over screening issues

The Scotsman Warning of limitations and harm of screening for diseases

Mediwatch Blogspot Making Sense of Screening, by Sense About Science

BMJ Report calls for public education on screening to ensure more realistic expectations

Phg foundation New publication to help the public understand screening

Times Online Breast screens blamed for unneeded ops

Medical News Today DIY Health Screening Not Necessarily A Good Idea

The Prostate Cancer CharityThe Prostate Cancer Charity comments on the launch of a new guide to screening

 

    Last updated: November 13 2009

Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 19

***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.

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William McCollough USA

Stu Ward Salesman

Richard Hughes IT Professional

Carl Cusumano Firefighter, United States

Harjot Singh Physician, Assistant Professor In Clinical Psychiatry, USA

Andrew McKnight Electronics Engineer

Yvonne Lumsden Carer

Gavin Kingsley Engineer, New Zealand

John Butler Retired

Buddhini Samarasinghe Scientist, Postgraduate student

Phil Gardiner Performing arts tutor

John David Hughes Retired Teacher

William Arthurs Researcher/ writer, Chairman

Neil Mountford Student

Clare Wain

Mark Carrell Computer Programmer, United States of America

Peter Hannam IT Consultant

Margret Geraghty Writer

Chris Gilson Researcher

Chris London College Instructor, Canada

Posie Nerberka Coffee house barista

Pamela J. McCully scientist, Validation Engineer Clinical Instrumentation, USA

Christoffer Nellaker scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow

Robert Schneider Management Consultant, Managing Director

Sean O'Leary Company Director

John Lackie Scientific Consultant

Volker Strom scientist, Research Fellow

James Mercer Chartered Engineer, Retired Managing Director

Liam Dyer

Christopher Thurtle Instructor, USA

Alex Cockburn IT Manager

Celia Mercer Retired Finance Director

Roland Backhouse Scientist, Professor of Computing Science

Thomas Grindle

Patricia Ann Melsom journalist, Norway

Geraint Harker scientist, Postdoc in astronomy, USA

Peter Rodgers scientist, Senior Lecturer

Stefan Anderson Engineer

Jared Zuercher Law Student, USA

Lawson Gold IT Systems Architect

John Ellis F.R.S. Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences

David Thrussell Student

Paul Craig Manager, Northern Ireland

John Widdicombe Emeritus Professor of Physiology

Paul Guider Civil Engineer

Tony Magnusson journalist, editor

John Leane retired scientist,

Arup Guha Computer Scientist Lecturer, USA

Ingeborg Leane

Thomas Simpkins Student

Julian Chappell

Lucas Dixon Research Scientist

Andrea Wilder theatre director

Riley Williams II Student, USA

Richard Foster-Turner Scientific Instrumentation

Mauro Guerra scientist, Phd Student, Portugal

Neil Bazley IT Professional, Canada

Katherine Heathcote Veterinary Surgeon

John Howse scientist, Professor

David Brocklebank

Neil Sinnett Teaching assistant

Charlotte Lowey Student

Lee John Faulkner Actuary

Peter Strugnell Software Developer

Amanda Pau scientist, Forensic Chemist, Forensic Chemist, USA

Charlotte Woodhouse scientist, Doctor

Adam Norwood Comedy writer

Davide Spinello scientist, Assistant Professor, Canada

Bernie Robinson Law Tutor

Paul Gonzalez Construction Estimator, United States

Clive Nicholls Retired Teacher

James Garveylvnv Business Owner

Terry Stagg Retiree

Sriram Govindarajan Student, India

David Gibbs Ecologist

Jonathan Mahoney Systems Analyst

Bernard Fleming Housing researcher

Ryan Marsh Software Developer

Marwan Azar Doctor/Scientist, US

Karl Pollitt Environmental Chemist

Su Pendegrass

Fraser Gibb Physician, Clinical Research Fellow

John Greatrex

Kai Kimppa Scientist, Lecturer, Finland

Kyle Clements Artist, Canada

David Millichamp Retired company director

Jeremy Garner Solicitor

Ricjar

Richard Edwards Emeritus Professor

Andrew Wright retired doctor

George Winkley scientist, Retired Industrial Chemist

David McHardy Student

Martin Hughes Teacher

Katie Carmichael Graphic Designer, Student

Andre Wognum Designer, Art Director, Sweden

Hazel Pegg mother

Sarah Prince-Wright Receptionist

Stuart Atton Electronics Engineer

Odette Smith

Adolfo Games Veterinarian, USA

Pieter Kok Lecturer in Theoretical Physics,

Jessica Holsinger science/ engineering student, USA

Gustaf Eriksson Dental surgeon/Internet Marketer

Mark Smith Project Co-ordinator

John Clapperton Software Engineer

Rehmi Post scientist, USA

Rob Treu Handyman

Janet Ellis

Peter Sheppard Teacher

Stephen Porter Sales assistant

Alice Carver Law student

Ben Paul IT Specialist

Fred Le Jannou Sales associate

Oystein Nordvik IT consultant and teacher, Norway

Richard Bryant Financial Director

Gareth Haines Scientist, Student

Brendan Cameron Scientist, Canada

Virginia Kelker Journalist, USA

Seth Sowerby Software Engineer

Roger Barnett Manager

John Sheppard Retired Chemist and IT Consultant

Max Norman Student

Sam Atkinson Entrepreneur

Emma Luxton -Reilly Teacher, New Zealand

Lisa Ronan scientist, Research Associate

Stephen Pennington Professor of Proteomics, Ireland

Craig Smith Legal Assistant

Jonathan Newton Journalist

Dave Donnelly Journalist, Ireland

Stuart McInnes Doctor

Seamus Ruane Engineer

Bruce MacGillivray Retired Neurologist

Timothy Pierson Corporate Writer and Speaker, Teacher/Trainer, USA

Tem Isigollu Engineer

Ishmael Wolfe

Christopher Johnson IT Industry

James Bednar Scientist, Lecturer

Yvonne Cassidy Retired medical translator

Adrian Allen Retired Telecoms Consultant, GB

Julian Thomas Computer Games Developer, Central Technology Group Manager

Anders Smith Student, USA

Jack Ross Medical Student

Haran Ramachandran Physician, Resident in Neurosurgery, USA

Ryan Turner Educator, Science Visualizer, USA

John Hart

Andrew Lowe Veterinarian, USA

Gregory Clarke Programmer, Australia

Keith Martin-Smith Antarctic Marine Conservation Scientist, Australia

David Waalkes I.T. Business Analyst, U.S.A.

Eric McCabe Graduate Student, USA

Brian DeWeese Software Developer, USA

Kamesh Aiyer Engineer, USA

John McAuliffe Rep of Ireland

Helen Pollard

Alec Clews Software Consultant, Australia

Jason da Silva Australia

Judith Sansom Hotelier

Alex Laude scientist, Researcher

Trevor Stephenson Scientist

Ann Lingard novelist

Joanna Livingston Retired lecturer

Omar Malik Author

Margaret Groocock Retired property consultant

David Bartholomew Innovation consultant

Adrian Gardiner IT Consultant, Proprietor

Steven Walton Business Analyst

Ian Hill scientist, PhD student

Tomoko Kamishima scientist

David Sterratt scientist, Research Fellow

Rowan Hughes Software Engineer, Ireland

Stephen Seddon Aviation Quality Manager

Carmen Diaz-Gutierrez Historian, Spain

Fiona Tilston-Jones Volunteer Adviser

Anne von Bennigsen

Niamh Brennan Librarian, Ireland

Huw Sheppard Geologist

Dr Taj Bhutta Careers Officer

Fraser Wyeth Bank worker

Anthony Hartland Retired Scientistp>

Alexander Peake Computer engineer

Elizabeth Moursy

Rob Moore Youth worker

John Quayle Scientist, Senior lecturer, Merseyside

John Auld Veterinary Surgeon

Haytham Kubba Surgeon

Chantruyen Ho Student, USA.

Martin Richards Petroleum Reservoir Engineer

Dr. Robert Portsmouth Historian , part-time lecturer, Ireland

Ruth MacGillivray Retired GP

Jon Hall Student

ADG Stewart Engineer

Sam Carson Senior Educational Psychologist

Richard Shepherd Engineer

Ian McAnany Scientist, Chief Engineer

Steve Wharton IT Analyst

John Spalding

Keith Redhead Scientist, Research Project Manager

Stephen Beckwith Town planner

Stephen Thomas Project Manager

Victor Hayman Substance Misuse Project Worker

Paul Entwistle

Frances Follin Art historian

Andy Clark Philosopher, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics

Jeremy Thomas Fire Investigator

Mark Buckley Pharmacist

Alan Stevenson Scientist

Olivia Stevenson Retired Librarian

Marc Imig

Michael Pryor Barrister

Sarah Evans IT Consultant

Leslie Klenerman Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

John Thompson Geologist/Engineer

Sarah-Beth Amos

Mick Tierney

Margarete Earle

H.J. (Dik-Jan) Kooy Netherlands

Neil McLatchie Student

David Karfoot

Bruce Palling Journalist

Kevin Langley Scientist, Consultant

Michael Azoff IT Industry Analyst

Ellen Solomon Professor of Human Genetics,

Karen Spector Clinical Psychologist

John Spector Clinical Psychologist

Colin Raban Academic, Director of Quality Enhancement

Geoff Pyne Economist

Susan Pyne Operational Research

Joao Magueijo Professor of Physics

Hugh Logan Ellis Student

Albert Huerta Office Supervisor, United States

Benjamin Monreal Scientist, Assistant Professor of Physics, USA

Mark Ridgewell

Christopher Luff Law Student

Marc Smit Netherlands

Andrew Street Scientist, Medical Writer

Chris Ramko Medicine, Cardiovascular Technologist, USA

James Carson Actuary, USA

Niall Kelly

Don Sannella Scientist, Professor of Computer Science

John Robb Engineer, Development

Alan Ford Retired University Lecturer in History and Theory of Art

Richard Thickett

Rory Parle Software Engineer

Gareth Francis Student

George Galbraith-Albutt Attorney, USA

Robert Carson Retired from Electronic Engineering

Nathaniel` Hawkiing Law student/writer/blogger

Eileen Kinson

Yuhong Yuan Scientist, Canada

Anil Jagalur Engineer, India

Barry Johnstone NZ

Jarek Bryk Scientist, Germany

Laurie Mathieson Retired Hotelier

Paul Eastwood Business Manager, Service Director

Mark Curtis Business and Commerce CEO

Garry Donaldson

Geoffrey Pallant Insurance Claims Manager

David Greenhalgh Artist

John Esplen Music Industry

David MacMullen Chartered Surveyor

Keith Slater Retired Hon Treasurer

Chris Hodgkinson Consultant

Eleanor Froelich Musician, Austria

Charles Posner

Pat Shroff NHS Manager, Consultant

Miodrag Kekiae Priest, Slovenija

Reg Winstone Journalist

Hannah Everitt Scientist, PhD student

Roel Bakker Scientist, Researcher, Netherlands

Nicola Scott

Derek Lockhart Scientist

Nick Lanyon Entrepreneur

Gerard O'Driscoll Software developer

Christopher Lamb Accountant

Ailbhe Goodbody Masters student

Cecil Pearce Retired Civil Air Pilot

Tim Latham Scientist

Kate Tavernor Scientist

Russell Bonser Aerospace Engineer

Ted Cordell

Wendy Birch

Karlis Atvars Scientist, Research Fellow

Mark Broadhead Chef

Jennifer Empson-Ridler

N C Teacher

Garry Shuttleworth

Susan Wells Lecturer in chemistry

Robin Hardie Investor

Roy Carlill

Robert Gunning Scientist, Research Fellow, Ireland

David Eastwood Retired Scientist

Sophia Taha Student

Jan T. Kim Scientist, Lecturer

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) James Clyde Teacher

Michael Cone Scientist, Graduate Student, United States

Grant Newman Media Producer, New Zealand

Ann Johnson Retired oncologist (breast cancer research)

Roger Jones Engineer, Australia

Fiona Johnson Council Officer

Cauri Jaye CEO

Martin Robards Retired Paediatrician

Liuhong Chen Scientist, PhD student

Henry Wilton Scientist, Senior Research Fellow, USA

Adam Moughton Scientist, PhD Student

John Shilkaitis Software Engineer, Member of Technical Staff, United States of America

John Exshaw Journalist

Donald Campbell Personal Trainer, USA

David Broughton Retired

Peter Hannen Engineer, Consultant

Ross Meredith scientist, MSci Student

Duncan McBain Student

James Ross Telecommunications Engineer

Simon Lynch Insurance Clerk

David Gage

Kat Evans Line Producer

Daniel Kenny Research Scientist

Peter Dodd Animator

Ellie Harrison Broadcaster

Mark Thatcher Engineer, Managing Director

Gill Heather Retired Researcher

Anne Higgins Tax accountant

Derek Bell

Bernie Green Retired Teacher

Ben Richardson Director, Managing Director

George Williams Retired Citizen

Michael Nicholson IT, Telecoms consultant, Sweden

Tony Glenholmes IT Manager

Isobel Steer Student

Brian Frost Steelworker

Karl Veulemans IT Consultant

Bill Caldwell Retired

Erwin Blonk IT professional, Netherlands

Mary Murphy-Ford medical doctor

Sam Deane Software Engineer

Colin French

Julia Henderson Law Student, New Zealand

Alex Wordsworth Pilot, USA

Alan Rector Professor of Medical Informatics

Hazel Prowse Scientist

Keith Bancroft Scientist, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry

Joseph Malia Accountant

Peter Genower Journalist

Jonathan Grant Music Producer/DJ, Company Director

Luke Garner Broadcast Engineer

Amanda Johannson civil servant

Syd Webster

Leon Collins Solicitor

Peter Williams chartered engineer

Martin Law Dentist

Joseph Fisk Research Engineer

Joelle Laws Teacher

Dom Bovington Database Manager

Paul Ginzberg Scientist, Phd Student

Liz Dawson Charity worker

Thomas James Bradman ESL Teacher, Thailand

Phil Greenwood scientist, associate lecturer

Diana Wilson Lecturer, Ireland

Penny Morris Industry Scientist

Rod Smallwood Professor of Computational Biology; Director of Research and Innovation for Healthcare

Julio Cesar Castro Brazil

Suet Ying Kwan Student

Kyle Dohring Student, Canada

Owen O'Donnell

Craig Childs Scientist, Research Fellow

Doron Offir IT Manager, Israel

Katja Nemat Physician, Deutschland

Amy Willis Scientist

Professor Stuart Rosen Scientist

Paul Morley Accountant

Michael Walsh Medical Practitioner, Australia

Sherril Johnson USA

Professor Manfred Krifka Scientist, Germany

Toby Crisford Student

Stephen Chamness USA

Brian Nicholson Retired Scientist

Angela Frankenne Pharmacist, Canada

Robert Gerst Manager, Canada

Joel Daniel Van der Meulen Scientist, Australia

Fred Whitlatch Dentist, United States

Lou Bennett Retired Biology and Computer Studies teacher, Canada

Jon Starbuck Scientist

Pauline Reith Engineer

Henry Adam Scientist

Tom Marshall Scientist, Senior Lecturer

Richard Robinson Retired Teacher

Martin Ling Scientist, Research Associate

Russell Sugden Analytical Chemist

Ian Cardno Contracts manager

Lucy Martin Scientist, Doctoral Research Student

David Tweedie Scientist, Clinical teacher

George Astaniou Traffic systems engineer

Alan Ford Archaeologist

Laurie Faulkner Retired Management Scientist

John Bruce

Anthony Charles

Francis Carter

Ka Ho Tam Physics Undergraduate

Adam Clayton Research Scientist

Liza Levy Scientist

Michael Normoyle Translator, Japan

Gregg Bender Software Technical Writer

James Harpin Electronics Technician, USA

Sean Reid Software Salesman

Jose Antonio Lacruz Lawyer, Spain

Gill Thomasson Project Manager

Sue Stephens Teaching Assistant

John Davies Engineer

Hugh Bostock FRS Scientist, Emeritus Professor

Stephen Douglas Teacher of Mathematics

Mark Curtis I.T. Analyst

Gordon Hopewell Researcher

Allan Spink Economist and Market Researcher

Alan Smith GP

Brian Brooks Scientist

Justin Andrews

Elaine Blackman Retired librarian

Anja Scheiwe PhD Student - Epidemiology and Public Health

Karen MacDonald Admin, Australia

Adam Chamberlain Software Engineer

Keziah Latham Scientist

Anthony Martin

Veronique Rothwell Payroll Manager

Michael Pritchard Historian, Research Fellow

Jake Eades Music Teacher , India

Oliver Murray

Robert Baratz Scientist, USA

Patrick Mackie Environmental Health Practitioner

Micheal Beale

Charlotte Gill Veterinary Nurse

Jenny Wakefield Retired Solicitor

Geoff Lane Computer Systems Administrator

Gordon Massey

Cara Flanagan Psychology Textbook Writer

Pat Doncaster Retired teacher, Ireland

Hilary Doncaster Retired teacher, Ireland

Conor McEnhill Dentist

Sally Bridgeland Actuary

Parot Roger Scientist, France

Dr. Fabian Giesen Patent Examiner, Netherlands

Kristina Young Dental Nurse, Northern Ireland

Nick Doody Comedian and Writer

Sarah Morgan Journalist, Comedy Writer for TV and radio

Gareth Edwards

John Briggs Consultant

Katie MacDougall Actress, Performer

Peter Norris Retired Logistics Manager

John Davis Retired Agricultural Engineering teacher, Ireland

Stephen Webb

Thomas Ayerst Software Consultant

Claire Ramsey Scientist, Associate Professor, United States

Gary Bowering Communications Manager, New Zealand

Tim Worfolk Illustrator

James Richard Hawkins Retired Mechanical Engineer

Rob Grant Author

Liz Gresham Project Administrator

Jeremy Criddle Student, Australia

Thomas Quinn USA

David Spears Imaging Scientist

Madeline Voke Publishing

Michael Cozens Retail, Canada

Jim Rogers Civil Servant

James Murphy Medical Electronics

Georgina Erskine

Stephen Pike Psychologist/student, New Zealand

Gig Searle HCI Researcher and Software Engineer, Austria

Catriona Alexander Scientist, PhD student

Fraser Old Retired government scientist

Graham Hart Scientist, Head of Department: Infection and Population Health

Alan Howes Retired physics and mathematics lecturer

Matt Vuckovich Medic, Australia

Ann Dick Archaeologist

Justin Kugler Aerospace Engineer, USA

Prem Kumar Doctor

Stephen Thackery Technical Author

Peter Kanold Dimensional Metrologist, Canada

Lorraine Shelton Quality Assurance Officer, USA

Michael Windle Retired Chartered Engineer

Dan Roberts Journalist

Sarah Harnett

Alison Gunson Nurse

Francis Harrison Retired Science Teacher

Jennifer Dyer Retired Computer Network Manager

Christopher Moss Student

John Shaw Scientist, PhD Student

Padraig Keane Scientist, Ireland

Colin Ranshaw Pharmacist

Timon Day Journalist

Marjory Davey Retired Librarian

Fergus Feehily Artist, Ireland

Anna Simpson Writer

Carina Bauman Graduate student, USA

Adele Mercier Professor of Philosophy, Canada

Tim Adye Physicist

Hugh Allan Chartered Engineer

Michael Sumner Architect

Rob Beckett GP

Galen Evans

Tanya Sabin Materials Engineer

Ellen Bell Scientist, Assistant Professor, USA

Michael Clear Science Manager, New Zealand

Tristan Martin Student, Australia

Gerry Kilroy Retired Translator

Bert Hunt

Amy Lothian Physics Support

Ashley Carr

David Storey Retired Economist

Andrew Thompson journalist, TV producer

Helen Murray Student

Hamish Hutton Marketing Director

Krish Anand Management Consultant

Matt Barrett TV Producer/Director

Mike Vingoe Scientist

Harry Sumnall Scientist

Deborah Prelesnik Dietitian, USA

Jim Hennington Actuary

Tom Horner Science Communication Student

Matthew Tedaldi Research Scientist

Anna Bond Gunning Industrial / Occupational Psychologist

Randal S. Pennington , Director of Psychological Training/Clinical Psychologist, USA

Jenny Rouse PhD student - Behavioural Neuroscience

Amitava Banerjee Clinical Research Fellow

John Jenkins Retired GP, Ethics Committee Member

Eric Hoy Scientist, Clinical Associate Professor, USA

Bobby Fritz Retired Engineer, USA

Stuart Agnew MEP Politician, Belgium/France

Helen Johnson Journalist

David Briggs Journalist

William Jarvis Health Education specialist, USA

Andreas Aanonsen Normann Student, Norway

Stephen Barnes Retired Paediatrician

Stephanie Wood Scientist, Postdoctoral researcher, Sweden

Albert Rogers Scientist

GS Monger Teacher

Brandon Benkosky Splicing Tech, USA

Helen Fanning Radiographer

Duncan Butlin Retired Engineer

Sundal Roy Model

Alexander Gavin Civil Servant

Christine Baker Student, USA

Pippa Hough Scientist, MSc student

Patrick Moore Adjunct Professor of Government, USA

John Bilsbury Lead Engineer

Catriona Hilton Academic Clinical Fellow

Paul Ashton Software Developer, New Zealand

Robert William Minter Environmentalist and Civil Engineer

Ben Kirkham

Eva Maguire Strategic Projects Manager, Ireland

Wendy Milner Artist

David Forsdike Engineer

Sean Curry Orthopaedic Surgeon

Nick Thomson Filmmaker

Kit Eason

Vassilis Papanikolaou Firmware Engineer

Nancy Charlier Psychiatrist, United States

Steven Lord Triathlon Coach

Steven Browne Warden

Robert Sundwick Masters Student, Computer Information Systems, USA

Pablo Sánchez Ocal Student, Spain

Simon Denning

Andreas Sampson Doctor

Graeme Daly Maths Teacher

Leslie Williams Journalist, Ireland

Douglas Macdonald MRC clinical fellow

Rehan Symonds Scientist

Sadaf Dar Doctor

Terry Hudsen Anaesthetist

Duncan Smith Postgraduate Student

David Turner Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor

Sebastian Deans Shiatsu Therapist

Erik Holmgren Scientist, Sweden

Michael Duffy Journalist, Researcher

Christopher Mellor Financial Analyst

David Peabody Engineer, Canada

Albert Bakker Operator, Netherlands

Isabelle Hayes Biomedical scientist

Colin Hayes Surveyor

Dalius Balciunas Scientist, Lithuania

Catriona Hendry Student

Lorna Kane

Chu Nhu Student, Canada

Nick Hockings Veterinary Surgeon

Christine Douglass Student

Erik Broome Medical Student, Sweden

Lorraine Pring Nurse

Karl Hamlin Engineer

Susanna Al-Samarrai Doctor

Anupam Gupta Doctor

Irit Edri Solicitor

Alannah Gale Marketing Exec

Suzanne Fossey Pharmacy Assistant

Roger Bulcock

David Blewden Finance Director

T Watson

Yamini Bhalla Student, India

Philip Coan Scientist, Scientific Litigation Analyst

Abraham Sharp Engineer

Assaf Basevitch Economist

Dirk Schepens Medical Devices Marketing, Belgium

Jonathan Shacklock Photoshop Retoucher

Jo Seymour Scientist

Henning Tveit Science Teacher, Norway

Keith van Rijsbergen Scientist, Emeritus Professor

Eleni Kalorkoti Illustrator

Gary O' Reilly Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Ireland

Louise Brannon Psychiatric Nurse

David Vickers Retired Histopathologist

Micheal Beatty Independent Scholar, United States

Richard Wilson Scientist, PhD student

Peter Rogers Scientist, Consultant in Pain Medicine

Cedric KnightIT

John Barker Microbiologist

William Arrowsmith Retired Paediatrician

Venkatesh Bob Consultant

Keith Lewis Underwriter

Justin Kemp Law Student

Ased Ali Scientist, Wellcome Clinical Research Fellow

Anne Burke Psychotherapist/Counsellor, Ireland

David Holberton Retired Scientist

William Lionheart Professor of Applied Mathematics

Lucy Harris Science Teacher

David Mathieson Software Engineer, Ireland

Hugh Griffiths Medical doctor

Jim Street Social worker

Richard Pavitt Music Marketing, Director

Richard Esau Marketing Director

Ben Watson Software Engineer, USA

Andrew Pearson Scientist, Associate Lecturer, Australia

Margaret Holloway Paediatric Physician, Australia

Annamay Parris Student, Canada

Dennis Hodgson Editor of Science Textbooks [retired], China

Gareth Jenkins-Jones Software Engineer

Jonas Crabtree

Ron Miller IT, Consultant

Kyle Cooksey Emergency Services Communications, USA

Tony Foster Investigator

Julio Faria Scientist, Managing Director

Susan Lynn Retired Lecturer

Bernard Sanderson

Sean Pollonais Enterprise Lecturer

Carsten Maple Professor, Head of Department: Computing and Information Systems

Simon Dalton Scientific Illustrator, Ireland

Eidur Alfredsson IT Consultant, Business Analyst

Robin Brown Musician Tradesman

Stephen McKelvie Scientist

Rhiannon McLaughlin Engineer

Paul Hampson Chef

Matthew Clarkson Public Servant

Michael Hopfenspirger Physician, USA

Michael Legierski

Tony Blackett Scientist, Senior Lecturer

Catherine Thomas Editor and Travel Writer

Dr Chris Lloyd Mills Scientist

Mike Leverington Analyst

Sarah-Rhiannon Wathan Post Graduate Student

David Brian Wathan Scientist

Helgi Sigurgeirson Geologist, British Columbia, Canada

Samuel Clerke Physics Student

Adam Errington Scientist, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Andrew Hawker Retired IT Analyst

Graham Wheeler MSc Medical Statistics

Christina Anand

Ian Barton

Guillaume Girard Microbiologist, Canada

Kevin Aylward Electonics Engineer

Julian Saurin Associate Proffesor, Political Science and International Relations, Cyprus

Sam Morrison Writer/Animator

Greg Perry Biology Student, Scotland

Gerald Miller Businessman, Israel

Conor McDonagh Student, Ireland

Nick Matheson Physiotherapist, Clinic Owner, Canada

John Barnden Scientist, Professor of Artificial Intelligence

Jessica Hamzelou Journalist

Anna Lee Physiotherapist, Australia

Daniel Oyan Pediatrician, Norway

Anita Collins Student

David Jones Tutor

Dick Lelyveld IT, Netherlands

Leon Smith Scientist, Australia

Caroline Quick

Natasha Latysheva Scientist

John White

Peter Hutchison GP

Stuart Rogers Bookseller

Ragnar Bjornsson Scientist, PhD student

Nigel Johnson Programmer, New Zealand

Jan van de Water Netherlands

Lucy Bright

Patricia Emonet Artist

Clive Quick Consultant Surgeon

Daniel Henning Physician

Curtis Carlson Engineering Manager, USA

Joanna Gait IT

Nigel De Grey Civil Engineer

David Corking Engineer

John O'Malley Clinical Director

Ethan Wohl Student, USA

Martin Hemingway Teacher, Head of Faculty of Social and Vocational Studies

Leanna Walder Student

Andrew Hemsley Construction Cost Consultant

Quyen Yelton Physiotherapist

Jamie Fryer Doctor

James Allison Engineer

Alicia Faires Military Meteorologic and Oceanographic Forecaster, USA

Justine Jones

Claire Naylor Scientist, Research Assistant

Ciaran O'Neill Assistant Journal Development Editor

Matt Delany Teacher

Mark Whitehead Scientist, Health and Safety Officer

Daren Riley Account Manager, New Zealand

Raymond Haupt Editor, USA

Bede Wilson Engineer, Australia

John Symon Publican

Knute Rife Lawyer, USA

Mak Macorol Data Analyst, Philippines

Antonio Silvestre Lawyer, Portugal

Matthew Lehane Accident and Emergency Doctor

Bob Chambers Retired University Teacher

Jim Hague Software engineer

Kerry Turner Scientist

Jonathan Bailey Building Surveyer, Student

Jacqueline Payne

Katie Bizley Student

Charles Richmond

Sam King Student

Matthew Turner Science student

Andrew Higginson Scientist

Catherine Stephens International Union of Sex Workers

Hugh Evans

Gareth Pryce Senior Research Fellow

Maureen May Teacher

Helen Shorrock-Gent

Sean Talbot MSc Student

James Scott-Brown Student

Jon Cashman MD

Julia Torr Florist

Candice Pierce Teacher, New Zealand

David Lowings Consultant, MD

Sophie Macken Human Rights Student

David Potter Science/Technology consultant, Director

Alasdair Higgins Financial Regulator

Jeremy Fletcher Account Director

Christine Calvert Research Director

Antony Fussey Engineer

Andrew O'Brien Orthopaedic Surgeon

Tab Brown

Monica Metzler President, Illinois Science Council

Kerry Acton Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Garry Beach Consultant, Petroleum Industry, Canada

Jamie Gegerson Systems Analyst, USA

John Knox Web Shop Manager, Australia

Peter Underwood Accountant

Mark Holmes Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, Australia

Amy Lowenstein Accountant, USA

Simon Worgan Research Fellow

Neil Lawrence Senior Lecturer

Steve Hallett Pilot

Mona Albano Technical Writer, Canada

James Chen-en Cheng Student, Taiwan

Ailise Loftus Doctor

Anna Henderson

Roy Button Project Systems Engineer

Robert Dwyer Electronics Engineer, Australia

John Lambert Chairman

Reynolt de Vos van Steenwijk Senior Engineer

Ian Bonner

Mark Hordley Staff Nurse

Mel Kavanagh Veterinary Surgeon

Douglas Theobald Assistant Professor, USA

Celeste Noli Scientist

Erin Best Law Student, Australia

John Beech

Bill Harman

MaryAnne Beech Teacher

Roberto Sarrionandia Student

Joanna Rutkowska Lawyer, Sweden

Angela Fuller Cardiac Physiologist

Peter Cann Journalist, Chair of Oxford NUJ branch

Pawe Alejster Student, Poland

Chris Shore Teacher

Kate Bartholomew

Helen Rhodes Managing Director

Jorgen Leditzig Administrator, Denmark

Chris Holmes Anaesthetist, Scotland

Cynthia Smith Technical Communicator/Writer, Norway

Claire Connorton

Jose R.C. Cruz Freelance Journalist, Canada

Jobina Hardy TV Researcher

Alex Klomp Scientist, Netherlands

Sharon Pickett Clinical Editor GP newspaper

Susanna Hallden Student, Sweden

Julie Webb Freelance Science Communicator and Teacher

Jeremy Kemp

Daniel Oi Lecturer

Stuart Cunningham Senior Software Engineer

Edward Kretchmer Student, USA

Rosslyn Nicholson Science writer, U.S.A.

Kevin Kendrick Medical Student, Australia

John Moore Analyst programmer

Kevin Corcoran Staff Nurse

Darryl Ashing Chartered Accountant

Adam Watts Fraud Analyst

Lisa Hendry Web Editor of Peer-to-Peer Science Website

Tom Wegner Research Consultant, Germany

Robert Seal Student

Graeme Kemp Teacher

Charles Wass

Will Ackermann Engineering Student

Cynthia Bijl de Vroe London Blue Badge Guide

Marie Cooper Student

Barry Johnstone Retired, New Zealand

Louis Aldred-Traynor Medical Student, Australia

Dylan McDowell Anthropology Student, United States of America

Alan Rector Professor of Medical Informatics

James Milner Research Fellow

Luke Thompson PhD Student

Patrick Heneghan Programmer

Martin Baines IT Sales Manager

Simon O'Neill Engineer

Hari Jackson Student

Maureen Lamb Retired Lab Technician

Tony Low Engineer

Neil Howard Journalist

Tom Osborn Scientist, USA

SENET KELLY Student Physicist, USA

Huma Shah Scientist

Matthew Joyce

Nicole Crosby McKenna Charity Sector, Development and Campaigns Officer

Will Snellen Teacher, Netherlands

Geraldine Isherwood Charity worker, Trustee

Peter Gatward

Catharine Briody Student

Catharine Briody

Alaric Ross-Wagenknecht Civil Engineer

Austin Whittall Editor, Argentina

Aaron Poehler Technical Writer

Richard Stratton Teacher, USA

Sarah Brewer Doctor, Guernsey

Euan Munro Engineering Student

Christopher Gwilliam Banker, UK/Serbia

James Garvey Doctor

Andrew Clarke Assistant Mill manager

Eva-Britt Sandström Nurse, Sweden

Benjamin Steuber Student, Germany

Mike Rees Scientist

Rhys Morris Clinical Scientist

Martin Iddon IT Consultant

Abizer Nasir Computer Programmer

Adam Crothers Student

Melissa Wood Scientist, PhD student

Alexandre Ghazi Director of Research at CNRS, France

Richard Johnson Retired Senior Lecturer (Hon. Member of Staff)

Helen Potter Scientist, PhD Student

Colin Millar Retired

James Johnson Director

Alastair Chisholm Software Developer

David Smart Retired Forensic Scientist

Catherine Chisholm

Christophe Le Gallic Engineer, France

David Gregory Retired (Clinical Scientist)

Bridget Johnson Local Authority

Tony Jenkins Retired Pharmaceutical Scientist

Marita Brandsoy Lystad Physiotherapist, Norway

Andy Barker

Philip Dawson

Alok Varshneya Software Consultant, India

Christopher Clegg Scientist

Bethan Hughes News Editor

Laura Looby Student

Claire Chatterley Postgraduate Student

Malcolm Cathcart IT Analyst

Adam Ahmed Student

Stuart McLean Psychologist

Roisin Joyce NGO, Development Manager

Egil Jergan Programmer, Norway

Shai Aharoni Software Developer, Israel

Derek McCulloch Consultant in Electronics Humidity and Metrology

Ian Greig Scientist, Research fellow

Christopher Collin GP, Australia

Jan Andruszkiewicz Artist/Computer Scientist, Australia

Roger Plenty

Paul Searle

Malcolm von Schantz Scientist

Phil Rowley Manager

Peter Ive Principal Systems Engineer

Brian Edwards Pharmacovigilance Consultant

Michael Bates Retired Civil Servant

D Coppen Scientist, Director,

Tim Stevens Postgraduate Researcher

Alan Cottey Scientist

Charles Rose Business Developer

Sam Collier Artist's Assistant.

Ian Wynn IT Manager

Neil Paknadel Senior Library Assistant

Derek Neill Physics Graduate

Charlie Reavill Scientist

Judith Plenty

Mike Carmichael Retired Charted Engineer

Iain Francis Engineer, Technician

Edmund Mohan Retired Civil Servant

Debbie Symes Scientist

Professor Lesley Jeffries Social Scientist

Roger Lynn Chartered Engineer

David Whitmarsh Engineering Company, General Manager

Denise Cheetham Psychology Student

David Kennedy Senior Software Engineer

Clare Boyes NHS Manager

Paul Jonathan Cheetham Computer Manager

Tony Tweedale Research Consultant, Toxicology

Nathan Proudlove Academic, Senior Lecturer

Paul Lawler Honorary (Retired) Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine

Peter Jamieson Blue Badge Tourist Guide

Simon Radford Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer

Richard Skipworth

Deirdre Shepherd Academic

Ian Nussey OBE FREng Chartered Engineer

Joanna Rimmer Retired Librarian

Stuart Riches Business Consultant

Michael Rogers Retired Pharmacist

Laura Wilmshurst Student

Daren Pearcy Web Developer

Mark Evans Computer Programmer

Martyn Tozer Chartered Engineer

Robert Oeffner Scientist

Tom Slater Computer Consultant

Scott Clarke Translator

Damian Haigh Assistant Headteacher

Angus Langlands Retired Ranger

Alan Brett Scientist

Michael Shoesmith Retired BBC Producer

Joes Staal Scientist, D Engineer

John Connett Software Engineer

Jerry Pank Computer Programmer

Anthony Holmes Scientist

David Webb Retired Scientist

Noel Anderson Retired,Scientist

Sarah Wilmshurst Undergraduate Student

Nicholas Hardwick Science Teacher

Antonia Johnson Teacher and Dyslexia Assessor

Neil McCartney Retired Science Teacher

Andrew Thoma Nurse/ ex Chiropractor

Nigel Woodcock Reader in Structural Geology

Richard M Young Scientific manager, UCLIC Manager + CHI+MED Project Manager

Neil D'Costa Web Developer

Jess Strangward Volunteer Coordinator

William Farnham Scientist

Stuart Davies IT Consultant

Kate Lewis Scientist, Teacher

Andrew Layton IT Specialist

William Farnham Scientist

Tony Lacey Medical Imaging Specialist

Denys Bennett Chartered Engineer

Mick Nagle Market Research, Company Director

Nigel Whitehead Retired Engineer

Siobhan Bain Analyst, Vice President

Tom Flemming Filmmaker

Thomas Lee Retired Specialist Paediatrician, Channel Islands

John Raffell Chief Marine Engineer

Mark Ware Consultant, Director

Stephen Roberts Domestic Engineer

Neil Johnson Researcher

Gary Russell Shop floor worker

James Hardiman Retired Medical Doctor

Gerald Jones Educationalist, Curriculum Development Manager

Vivienne Wilmshurst Retired Nurse

Edward Russell

Peter Shaw Scientist, Senior Lecturer

Mark Young Scientist, Senior Lecturer

Sally Reckert Gardener

Andrew McIlwraith Journalist

Richard Joyner Scientist, Former Chair of CaSE Campaign for Science and Engineering

Roderick Brooks Consultant Physician

Claudia Canales Scientist, Post-doctoral Researcher

Alex Hunt Wine Buyer

Juan Paez-Farrell Scientist

Chris Dancer Engineer working in Neuroscience Research

Michael Johnson Scientist

Robert Smith Scientist, Visiting Professor/Emeritus Professor

Lucy Hulme Student

Ciara Stewart Scientist

John Grant Engineer

Annabel Gibb-Cohen Bookseller

Gillian Weston Scientist

Mike Bowden Teacher

Bryn Gwyndaf Jones Retired IT lecturer

James McConnell Bookseller

Duncan Macleay Retired Senior College Lecturer

Huw Owen-Reece MB; FRCA Physician, USA

Jonathan Gressel Scientist, Professor Emeritus, Israel

John Stolz Medical Writer

Boyd Henson-Bargh MSc Photographer, Director

Brian Price Engineer, R and D Manager

Michael Blastland Journalist

Alistair Scott Photographer/Writer, Switzerland

David Rimmer Scientist, Retired Senior Lecturer

Martin Crane Chartered Design Engineer

Steven Plowman Engineer

Geraint Todd

David Yorston Consultant Ophthalmologist

Stephen Driver Scientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate

Edward Callender Postman

Robert Heddle Physician and Pathologist, Head of Clinical Immunology

    Last updated: December 10 2009

Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 18

***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.

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Betty Slinger Scientist

Peter Bennett Student

Michel Salim Software Engineer, USA

Gary Parkyn Scientist

Diane Vitale USA

Ramona Erdman USA

Maria Pertl PhD student, Ireland

Diarmuid Byrne Postgrad Student, Ireland

Ben Holloway Research Scientist

John Truscott Software Engineer

Amy Brogan Postgraduate Student, Ireland

Lorcan Walsh Postgraduate Researcher, Ireland

Lee Harrison Science Communicator, Australia

Robert Lichtenstein Licensed Psychologist, USA

Sarah Reilly Ireland

Robert Ryan PhD Student, Ireland

Patrick Colbeck Network Engineer

Ciara Greene Postdoctoral Scientist

Robert Reganess

Damian Kelly PhD Researcher, Ireland

Jesse Krizik Philosopher, USA

Steven Zeitzew Orthopaedic Surgeon, USA

D Young Student

Bob Churchill Membership and Web Manager

Kathryn Holmes GP, Canada

John Buch Physician, USA

Peter Ewing Financial regulation

Peter RobertsPhD Student

Kris Hampel Engineer

Mary Guinness Solicitor

Tom Munoz-BrittonPhD Student

Aaron Mullan Sound Engineer, United States

Manosij Majumdar Engineering student,Canada

Ashley Dorning Ph.D. student

Lalita Kaplish Science Librarian

Paul Moore Applications Engineer, USA

Steven Powell PhysicianUnited States

Ricky Grogan Sales Manager, Republic of Ireland

Rebecca Reid Student, N. Ireland

Carl Wick Soldier and science graduate

Neelesh Kumar India

Robert Vickerstaff Scientist

Michael Beaton Philosopher

Neil Hankey Software engineer

Mark Bauer Pharmacist, United States

Maggie Jones Nurse

Norman Casagrande Software Engineer

wayne thresher Scientist

Arj Subanandan Mental Health Information Officer

Thomas Akehurst Software Developer

Matthew Willey Education Adviser, New Zealand

Ruben Hernandez Student, United States

David Kennedy IT consultant

Dirk SCHEPENS Medical Technology, Belgium-Flanders

Christopher Nawrat PhD Student

Thomas Vandenberghe Secretary, Belgium

Nick Serifin

Richard Taylor Student

Matthew Wortley University Administrator, Japan

Donal Fallon Artist/Student, Ireland

Mark Helme

Andrea Cross Producer

Sebastian Stear Musician and Teacher

Richard Hunt Actuary

Stephen WilliamsPostgraduate Student

Lisa Corr Bookseller, Ireland

Paul Eccleston Spacecraft Verification Engineering Manager

Richard Cody Graduate of Biology and Student of Psychology, Ireland

Jenny HuntGeographical Information Systems Officer

Nicholas McCullen Researcher

Ger Duff Medical Student, Ireland

Anne Goldsworthy Education Consultant, Wales

Antonio Gandarinho Portugal

Daya Varma Professor Emeritus, Canada

Helen Palmer Post doctoral researcher, Norway

Adrian Stear Retired research chemist

Bahillo Carlos Maintenance Man, Spain

Shaun GoldfinchAssociate Professor

Stephen Rooney Writer PR Marketing, Ireland

Andrew Chantrill Retired

John Wakefield Research Scientist

Christopher Monsour Researcher,USA

Michael James Scientist

Joshua Howgego PhD student

Matt Hudson Information Management Officer

Jonathan Bott Doctor of Medicine

Mark Ortiz Senior Consultant

Paul McCord Solicitor

Ashley Griffiths WebSphere Technologist

John Goudy Australia

Robert Livingstone Engineer, Retired

Michael Kocan Consultant Anaesthetist

Daniel Clarke Student

John Nye Insurance Officer

Chris Dibbs Design Engineer

Simon Dellis Businessman, Cambridgeshire

Ingvild Tinglum M.Phil Student, Norway

Edward FitzGerald F1 Doctor

Jens Jacobsen Journalist,Germany

Richard Wise GP

Peter Thomas Professor and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Anne Miller Author and Company Director

Ian Parish Mathematics Teacher

Anders Hede Administrator, Denmark

Mark Anthony Information Security Manager

Sam Hillman Student

Jesse Ohlsson Electronics Engineer, Belgium

Craig Frier Digital Artist

Bruno Edwards Technician and designer

Judith Peel Science teacher

Karin Rautio Sweeden

Patrick DiCaprio Asbestos Analyst,USA

Nigel Magnay Head of R and D

Colin Jenkins Software

Tracey Thorn Singer

Brant Watson Retired Industry and Technology Teacher, USA

Jane Campbell Health Professional

Paul Neil 3D Computer Artist

Johnny Chen

Mark Harris Aircraft Avionics Maintenance Engineer, Australia

Kimberly Clarke ournalist

Bernard Boase Retired IT professional

Matt Dalby Civil servant

Jamie Martin Writer

Michelle Nunn Administrator

Dr Rosalind Polley Scientist

Jim McCubbin Psychiatrist and Doctor

Jon Allen Teacher of Science

Henry Connor Retired Consultant Physician

Mateus Desimon Student, Brazil

Ulf Barsnick Scientist, Germany

Kevin Scales

Claire Gallagher Administration

Erik Helgesen Norway

Stephen Marshall Engineer

Richard Clark IT Manager

Stephen Harrison Building Industries Manager

Lee Symes Staff Nurse, Scotland

Christopher James Consultant Haematologist

Matthew Bunyan

Charles Forsyth Scientist

Sam Cunliffe Student MSc Physics

Adam Kane Student, Ireland

Andrea Buffington

Ilijas Milisic Australia

Hugh young Writer/Editor, New Zealand

Giorgio Cosco Employee, Italia

John Peisley Teacher of Science

Warwick Dumas PhD student

Thomas Genoni Staff Scientist, USA

Douglas Black Computer Engineer, USA

Nicholas Palmer Environmental consultant/campaigner/lobbyist, Jersey Channel Islands

Mark Hewitt Electrical Engineer

Yaniv Nadav Importer, Israel

Steven Russell Artist, Texas

Keith Kie Student, USA

Brian Dupuis Researcher in cognitive science, Alberta

Vincent Sikorski Clinical Pharmacist, USA

Angela Hook Parish council clerk

Toby Rane Administrative, USA

Charles Hall Retired Physician, USA

Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby Patent attorney

Chris Sexton

Kelly Banco Pharmacy Student, Canada

Kirsi Heikkinen Journalist, Finland

Ian Pollard Actuary

Scott Ponton Scientist

Subhayan Mukerjee Student, India

Heather Roulleau Auxilary Nurse, France

Chuck Hamil Writer, USA

Jeff Bellay Scientist, USA

Yan Tordoff Chartered Engineer

dave rainham GP, Canada

Tim Field Retired, U.S.A.

Robert Harvey Retired engineer

Peter Wright Scientist

Christine Baker Student, USA

Sally Rodger Teacher

Martin Bennedik Independent System Architect and Developer, Germany

Daniel Mac Alister IT Support, Spain

Nigel Hadfield IT Consultant

Fergal MacAlister Ireland

John Baker Chartered Town Planner

Ira Jacobson Engineer, Israel

Ilene Sternberg Journalist

Neil McLachlan Managing Director, Australia

Jamie Young Courier

Anna Halcro-Johnston Scientist

Jonathan Spencer Supply Chain Assistant

Colin Muddiman Teacher

Adrian Tillich Software Engineer, Germany

Matt Clay Principal Consultant

Simon Porter Factory Worker

Andrew Webster Senior Lecturer Ophthalmologist

Loree Kalliainen Surgeon and Chief of Staff Elect, USA

Fox Michael Student

Tom Grucza Mathematics teacher (retired), Australia

Mauro Vidal Ocean Engineer, Brazil

Jonathan Tuliani IT Manager, Ireland

Man Tran Engineer, Canada

Tim Ball Scientist, New Zealand

Tom Voltz Writer and editor, Spain

Matthew McMahon Senior Principal Scientist, USA

Simon Witkiss Chartered Accountant

Donald White Retired Physicist

Eugene Luks Professor of Computer and Information Science, USA

Thomas Peterson Software Engineer, USA

Richard Krafchik Retired Science and Mathematics Teacher, USA

John Gale Scientist, Australia

craig Richards Software Manager, United States

Sameer Manchali Senior Design Engineer, India

Geoffrey Jennings Retired

John Stockdale Engineer

Tze-Wey Loong Family Physician,Singapore

Robert Baigrie BSc Academic Surgeon, South Africa

John Downs Graduate Student, New Zealand

Andrew Berkeley Scientific Officer

Maria Truman Consultant

Pascal Craw Biology Teacher

Anders Wallby Editor, Sweden

Jasmine Wall Student

Abhijit Menon-Sen Programmer, India

Torsten Berger IT specialist, Germany

Susan Woodham Mathematician

John Sharp Retired

Carolyn Baigrie Histopathologist, RSA

Liam Harkness Public Sector Employee, Scotland

Geoff Mather Chartered Engineer

Aaron Ben-Joseph A Level Student

Ian Stacey Project Manager

Jonathan Tucker Project Manager

Keith Willis Software Developer

Joe Raftery Executive Engineer

Tony Lee Journalist and Editor

Paul Lyden Senior Consultant, Scotland

Karoline Schmidt Scientist, Austria

Roderick Rhys Jones Scientist

David Moorhouse

Rosemary Ewles Museums and Heritage Consultant

Amanda Montgomery Philosophy Student

John Taylor

Sally Morgan Psychologist

Richard Brooks Dentist (retired), USA

Sascha Janecek Astrophysics Student, Austria

Mark Radford

Kenric D'Souza Student, India

Cindy Dallow Instructor, USA

David Guinane Teacher

Phil Oddy Marketing Manager

John Underwood Journalist

Noel Potter IT

Juan Carranza Professor Zoology, Spain

John Crowe Web Developer

Laurie Smith Intensive Care Paramedic, Australia

Vincent Lagioia Senior Research Officer, Australia

Eden Smith Investor, Australia

David Meadows Project Manager, Australia

Sigal Gottlieb Professor of Mathematics, USA

Garrett Burt Software Technical Support, USA

Jessica Irons Student, Australia

Annikka Mutanen Science Journalist, Finland

Peter Van den Berghen Administrative Assistant, Belgium

Jonathan Lancashire Headmaster

Anne Gill University Lecturer

Derek Greenway Design Engineer

Robert Bryan Davis Computer Programmer, U.S.A

Andrew Gutteridge Broadcast Engineer

Phil Sharpe IT System Admin

Ian and Trish Sinclair

Kenneth England Paralegal, Australia

Barry Cridland Project Manager

Barbara Demeneix Professor and Head of Department Regulations and Development, France

Dan Kirklin Publishing Managing Editor

Adam Cosner Senior Analyst, United States

Adrian Herrera Political Analyst,USA

Stephanie Jones

Mike Clarke Magician

Sue Abt Designer, United States

Bradley Matthews Mathematics Student

Steven Teleky IT Manager, USA

Christopher Eaves IT Support

Robin Dunbar FBA Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology

Ian Brown Researcher, Sweden

Jaime Gonzalez Engineer, Mexico

Ruth Holland Project Officer

Annabel Martin-Bah

David Kostyk Bio-Medical Student, USA

Gina Wear Registered Nurse, USA

Jason Corrigan Poet

Andy Baker Web Developer

Daniel Elliot Facilities Engineer, Canada

Bruce Philp Consultant Plastic and Burns Surgeon

S. Stanley Young Assistant Director of Bioinformatics, USA

Owen Campbell-Moore Student

Bertrand Le Roy Engineer, USA

Kay Turrill Scientist, USA

Wayne Povey Carpenter

Karen Phillips Middle School English/Literacy Teacher, USA

Gregory Goldmakher Research fellow, USA

Arthur Rehling Student

Michel Ouellet Associate Professor, Canada

Lucas Martin Software Developer, Australia

lyle hutto Physician, USA

Peter Owens Mechanical Engineer

Geoffrey Hamshere Sales Manager, France

Judy Smith A-Level Student

Ann Ashworth Freelance Dietician

Franco Henwood Project Manager

Rainer Zahlten Professor of Medicine, Germany

Matt Giess Scientist

John Snelson Software Engineer

patricia brynolf

David Ryan

Jez Horrox Engineer

Carlo Rossini Engineer / Consultant, Scotland

Lyndon Roy IT Consultant

Alex Hall Education Consultant, Australia

Tessa Worgan Student of Science Media Production

Alec Keeler Software Release Engineer

Susan Campbell USA

Russ Painter IT, Ireland

Stephen Pullen Journalist and Editor

Barry Parsons Public engagement officer

Don Edgley IT developer

Cathy Finnegan

Deborah Pate

Keith Thompson Research Fellow

Robbie Glendinning Student of Science

Phil Crooks

irving rynning Student Teacher, USA

Warren Kaye Solicitor

Tom Trosborg IT consultant

Amber Potter Student, USA

Judith Withnell Mathematician and Teaching Assistant

Barry Gallagher Pharmaceutical Engineer

Kevin Hogan Chartered Accountant

Allan Godfrey Child Minder

Alan Griffith Customer Service Representative

Nick Holden NHS audit co-ordinator

Mathew Evans Software Engineering, Canada

Philip Howard Senior Research Officer

Chris Evans Music Distribution

Trishank Karthik Research Assistant, USA

Girard HopTeavy

Robert Dan MacDuff Retired Court Administrator

alan hayward Designer

James Hector Business Owner

Jim Freeman HE Administrator

Simon Dixon Postdoctoral research fellow

Emma Nicol Research Assistant

Cheryl Annett-Baker Copywriter

Sean Tracey Artist

Joe Stenger Software Engineer, Canada

Steve Potter Production at a research policy website

Paul McMonnies Software Developer

Philip Matusavage Research Administrator

Martin Nicholls Senior Subeditor

Candice Baddeley

Caroline Holland Social Scientist

Bob Taylor Scientist, Germany

Gerald Daniels Certified Financial Planner

Ian Deakin University Administrator

Corinna Waters Retail Worker

Rajnish Bhaskar Software Developer

Jacqueline Howard Teacher

James Mead Software Developer

David O' Hare Student of Mathematics

Clive Flint IT worker

David Robinson Network Engineer

Amy Crosthwaite Museum Cataloguer

Simon Quick Consultant, Switzerland

Leon Markham Information Technologist

Alex Paknadel English Literature Doctoral Student

Elizabeth Lutgendorff Student History of Science

Sarah Goddard Industry representative body, Ireland

Hannah Smithson Scientist

Tom Goodman-Hill Performer

Mark Jones Scientist

Hugh Pumphrey Reader in Atmospheric Science, Scotland UK

Matthew Gunning Television executive

Ellen Broughton Photographer

David Bailes

Hakon Larsen IT Consultant, Norway

Sara Feenan BSc Analyst

Michael McEvoy Medical Student

Richard Lyle Publishing

Dave Downs Software Developer

Scott Pollock IT

Sai Wing Man Mathematician

Raj Visram Project Manager

Tony Payton

James Chiles Local Government Officer

Maureen Box

Sharon O'Connor

Len Teff Writer

Kevin Kanji Banking IT Risk Director, UAE

Matt Brown Law

Vengalattore Nagaraj Senior Research Scientist, USA

Miquel Martin Senior Researcher, Germany

Stephen Mumford Systems Administrator

Edmund Huggett 3rd Year BSC Computing Student

Gordon Hirt Insurance Agent and Amateur Astronomer

Neil Edwards Media Librarian and P.T Magician

Marc Roberts Computer Scientist

Mike Evans Company director

Jan Alkema

J Allen

Joel Stobart Programmer

Ariane Demeneix

Paul Wilkins Scientist

Arun Reddy Software Developer, Norway

Chris Hunter IT specialist

Mihajlo Kostic Interest Rate Trader

Gerald Sorko Telecomms Engineer

Raphael Levy BBSRC David Phillips Fellow

Stephen Davies Graphic Designer

Jon Humphries Research Associate

Michael Kruse Primary Care Paramedic, Canada

Laura Powderham Editorial/design assistant

Simon Jones Scientist

Claire Hunt Research Associate

John Sheldon Retired Government scientist

Jake Dovey Computer Engineer

Nick Ramsay

Ella Cape-Davenhill Student

Seye Abimbola Research Scholar, Australia

Nichiless Dey Teacher of science

Richard Fletcher Website Developer

James Wright Programmer

Thomas Blackthorne Performer, Italy

Gerard CrottyConsultant Haematologist, Ireland

Mikko Petteri Salminen Student, Finland

Charles Barrett Surveyor

Alec Muffett Scientist

Andrew Henry Support Scientist

William Rook PhD Student

Paul Grundy Consultant neurosurgeon

Susan Morgan Doctor

John Taylor Director of Critical Skills

Stacy Todd Medical Doctor, SpR in Infectious Disease

Dr Deveril Post-Doc Fellow

Rupert Beale Clinical Lecturer in Renal Medicine

Jag Dhillon IT Consultant, Australia

William Cirillo Scientist, Ireland

Richard Ravn-Listowski Aircraft Engineer

James Pfeffer Quantitative Analyst

john Brennan Management Consultant

Rahul Shrimanker Medical doctor

Carla Freestep Farming, USA

Alex Hancock BI analyst

Bob Dezon Journalist

Jake Dunning Clinical Research Fellow and SpR Infectious Diseases

Teresa Boyle Medical Doctor Australia

David KelloggAssistant Professor of English, USA

Robbie Temple Engineer

Andrew Macdonald

John Evans Engineer

Dr Andrew Conway Morris Clinical Research Fellow

Jan Kingshott Police Officer

Owen Roberts Project Manager

Emre Amirak Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Brook Elgie Bioscience Graduate

Robert Willox Search Engine Analyst

Clark Fenton Senior Lecturer

Christopher Leaver Emeritus Professor

Kwok Lee Research Technician

Seil Collins Student

Marion Handscombe Ophthalmologist

Kevin Roberts Programmer

Stuart Sinclair Finance

Mark Brough Sales

Punnen Syriac IT Professional, Australia

Joe Lee-Moyet Student

Christian Ridley Student

Laura Husband Science journalism (MA) student

Alun Williams Journalist, Web Editor Electronics Weekly

Michael Tonkin Engineer, France

Eirik Hektoen Software developer, Catalonia

Paul Diggory Doctor of Medicine

Jason Sackett Software Developer, USA

Fabiano Vasi Student, Switzerland

Nigel Grady

Douglas Clark

Alison Hooper Head of the Dept of Mathematics and Statistics

Karen HendersonSenior Lecturer Dept of Mathematics and Statistics

Nicholas Dann A-level Student

Guy Roberts University Lecturer

Tushna Commissariat Journalist

Ankit Kant GP

Palash Barman BHF Cinical research training fellow

Clifton Wray Civil Servant

Gregory Conko Attorney/Policy Analyst, USA

Tessa Greenhalgh Doctor

Smith David Scientist

Victoria Reay Hospital Doctor

David Grey Firefighter

Paul Redford University Lecturer

Stewart McCormick General Medical Practitioner

Aatish Bhatia Student

John McCallum Factory worker

Jeremy Taylor IT Consultant

Suzanna Beaupre Student

Adam Clore Postdoctoral Fellow, USA

William Edwards Education administration, USA

Robin Windhaber Doctor

Spencer Attridge IT Manager

Mike Redwood GP Trainer Undergraduate Tutor

Edward Dowie

GARY MARLAND Scientist

Peter Kilroy Software Engineer, Australia

John Hawkins Software Manager

Nick Gordon

Stefan Isser Austria

David Prince Clinical Psychologist, USA

Richard Balacco Professional Engineer, Australia

Peter Kirsch Data Manager

Steve Rhenius Research and Intelligence Officer

Bronwyn Klimach

Natalie Kelly Receptionist

Dinyar Rabady Student, Austria

Basil Norbury Lecturer

Aine Gormley Science Journalist MA Student

Christopher Hallpike Emeritus Professor, Canada

Michael Threlfall

Ville Aarnikko Finland

Tony Williams IT Professional

Francisco Wechsler Emeritus Professor, Brazil

Joseph Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow

Andrew Court Music Educator, Australia

John (Dr) Williams Central England Branch Committee Member

Magnus Koch Scientist, Sverige

Preston MacDougall Professor of Chemistry, USA

Steve Wakefield Accountant

Jonathan Simons Investment Manager

David Hamilton Student

Matthew McGlade Web Designer

Anne Savage Doctor

Marion Dakers Student Journalist

Paul Savage Surgeon

Andrew Sewell Geophysicist

James Kenyon Journalism Student

Marie Zabell

Cathy Dalgleish USA

Philip Ball Journalist

Rhys Watkin Consultant Engineer

Mariza de Souza Student

Bob Gerics Musician, USA

Carl Fossum Librarian, USA

Matthew Davies Marketing

Pete White Science Teacher

Joseph Baker Journalism/Natural Sciences Student, USA

Kristian Kennaway Scientist

Christian Polson-Brown Biology Student, Australia

Stewart Lloyd Consultant Occupational Physician, Australia

Jörg Reiher Computer Science Student,Germany

Alexander Will Engineer, Germany

Edward White Scientist

Chris Johnson Statistician

Adrian Ogden Computer technician

Simon Parkin

Anna Puma Science student

Robin Foster Consultant Anaesthetist

Jonathan Primmer Science Communication MSc Student

Trygve Jensen Busdriver, Norway

Eric Andre Michot Pharmacist, Canada

Sam Roberts Software Engineer

James Edge scientist, Research Fellow

Lester Wilson Surgeon

Ross McLeod Army Officer

Ian Eiloart Councillor

Richard May scientist, PhD Student, Wales

Vania de Bie-Vernet Composer, France

Neil McIsaac

Dr Ian O'Neill journalist, Space Producer, USA

Sunayana Sitaram Software developer, India

Francis Cyril Beswick teacher

Nathan Reynolds Information Security

Dr David Buchanan Freng retired scientist

Carol Smith Office Manager/PA

Matthew Mixon Nurse

Tim Jones Science Communicator

Greg Neil , Australia

Kevin Fitzpatrick CIO

James Minchew Accountant

Michael E Garrett scientist

Ian Cotton Software Engineer

David Cork Retired Civil Servant

Rhiannon Smith Student

Neil Henderson Scientist

Santiago G. Moreno scientist, PhD student, health economist, Spain

Nikolai Tolstoy Historian, Independent author

Ian Ford journalist

Tom Bower journalist

Richard Kubilius Commissioner, Alcohol Coordinator

Stewart Frater Chartered Accountant

P Jon Bunker Designer, Director

Peter Roach physiotherapist

Colin Philpott Self Employed, Director

Dr Mike Clarke Scientist, Senior Development Manager

Tony Draper Business Psychologist

John Blandy Retired surgeon, Emeritus Professor of Urology

Neil Vowles Journalist, Trainee Reporter

John Woodhouse Retired pilot

Peter Merchant Engineer, University Lecturer

Stephen Birch Retired Medical Doctor

Peter Whitehead Armed Forces

Sarah Hobbs Science teacher, head of department

Annette Neary Consultant Physician, Ireland

Helen Hird Accountant

Anne Haworth Teacher trainer, PGCE Mathematics

Steven Moon Scientist, Analyist

Michael Fourman Scientist, Professor of Computer Systems

Elaine Smith Scientist, Clinical Psychologist, Ireland

Michael Faust scientist

Venetia Emery Retired dancer

James Manktelow student

Emma Kerstin Nuding Student

Bev Littlewood Scientist, Professor of Software Engineering

Glynn Winskel Scientist, Professor of Computer Science

Sarah Cuthbertson

Jon Crowcroft Scientist, Professor of Communications Systems

Terence Emery musician

Nat Noordanus Student

Subramanian Ramamoorthy scientist, Lecturer School of Informatics

Adam Esmail Physics Student

Stuart Yarrow Scientist, Research Student

Jakob Calero Gastellu Undergraduate Science Student

Eric Deeson scientist, science education consultant

Peter Aczel scientist, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Logic and Computing Science

Christine Ottery Freelance journalist

Gary Meehan Software Engineer

Jonathan Millin Scientist, Graduate Student

Kenneth McFarlane Scientist, Master's Student, Scotland

Philip Kinsella Psychotherapist

Ben Littlewood Science teacher

Chris Howard Student

Jebadiah Moore Informatician, Student, Scotland

Andrei Voronkov scientist, Professor

Professor Faron Moller Scientist, Dean of Postgraduate Research

Matthew Wright Student

E D Heath Retired scientist

Martyn Pratt Natural Sciences student

Leslie Smith Scientist, Professor and Head of Computing Science and Maths Department

Madeleine Beveridge MSc student

Roger Wheeler Planning Manager

Paul Dolphin Senior Solutions Consultant

Cate Huston Scientist, Graduate Student, Canada

Abhishek Bhatt Scientist, Undergraduate

Alexander Munro Informatics Student

Simon King Scientist, Reader

Stephen Mercer Film editor, UK

Martyn Thomas Software Engineer, Director

Simon Fawkes Entrepreneur, CEO

Andrew Adamatzky Scientist, Professor

Frederic Fol Leymarie Scientist, Professor

Neil McGuiggan Student

Andrew Campbell Retired para-legal executive

Razvan Ranca Student

Jennifer Bragg Manager

Alan Carter Engineer

Dawn Davies artist/teacher

Rosie Webster Sales assistanst

Julien Woolley LGBT Activist, Civil Advocate, Administrative Consultant

John Davies Bookseller

Chris Thompson Student of computer science and physics

Carol Stanier Editor

John Gordon retired school teacher

Rowena Turner administrator

Anthony Solomonides Scientist, Reader in Computer Science and Medical Informatics

Lauren Denton Medical Student

Robert Kent Engineer

Judith Atkinson Retired

Geraint Wiggins Scientist, Professor of Computational Creativity

Stephen Crawford Teacher

Gillian Bishop retired scientist

John Pate scientist, PhD Student

Ana Costa e Silva scientist, PhD student

Sebastian Mhatre scientist, Student

Myles Parker Logistician

Andrew Malloy product designer, senior design engineer

Sian Rees journalist, sub-editor

Peter Sandilands scientist

Gordon Parke scientist, Research Student

James Garforth Science Student

Peter Smith Retired journalist

Margaret O'Riordan

Ben Wren Broadcasting, Network Operations Assistant

Peter Orchard scientist, PhD Student

Alan Bundy scientist, Professor of Automated Reasoning

Toby Foster scientist, Computer Science Student

Daniela Rudloff scientist, PhD researcher, blogger

Stephen Manning Civil Servant, Insolvency Examiner

Brian Randell scientist, Emeritus Professor of Computing Science

Mary Young Principal Transport Planner

James Linehan student

Ramanand Kalbag Retired Neurosurgeon

Angela Bell teacher

Gavin Potter Student

David Chapple Project Manager, Self employed

Paul Goddard IT Architecture Consultant

Charlotte Repton Student of Science

Jack Lennon Postgraduate

Stuart Conheady Analyst Programmer

Frank Allen scientist, Emeritus Fellow and ex-Director

Tamsin Maxwell student, PhD candidate Informatics

Sian Morgan Student

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Fiona Wood Clerical Worker

Colin Scott-Malden

Katherine Stephen Journalist, gig reviewer

Ann Blandford scientist, Professor

Lisa Atkinson Swimming Coach

Claudia Gosse teacher

Malcolm Atkinson scientist, Professor of e-Science

F. Andy Seidl Software Architect, Entrepreneur, Director, USA

Chris Morgan Mental health trainer, Business Development Director

Kevan Cowcill Professor of Biology, Canada

David Lester Retired Librarian

Betty Tijms scientist, PhD student

G. Lucy Jones Driver, United States

Olivier Lacan Web Developer, Student, Florida

Anna Kirk Surveyor

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alexander sim scientist, Director

Stuart Ackroyd scientist, Student

Jeremy Swinfen Green management consultant, managing director

Peter Murdoch

Michele Dalla Torre student

Richard Jones scientist, Reader in Computer Systems

Clive Gerrard Academic Services, Assistant Director

Stefan Woodhouse scientist, Student

Andrew Miller Physics Teacher, United States

Thomas Widmer PhD, IT Project Manager, Switzerland

Jestyn Thirkell-White advertising executive, Switzerland

Derek Cox

Peter Clay Retired scientist

Bonnie Webber scientist, Professor

Phil Newton Musician, Germany

Peter Johns

Kirin Furst student of science and journalism, USA

Ania Kata Anthropologist, Canada

Clare Corbett scientist, PhD student

Simon Barker

John Gallagher Land Surveyor, USA

Ciro Faienza Writer, Film Maker, USA

IVAN OSRIN General Practitioner

Clare Shanahan Actuary, Pensions Analyst

Eoin O'Keeffe Student, Ireland

Elisabeth Whipp scientist, Consultant Oncologist

Lawrence Panas Master's Student, USA

Mark Renshaw Student

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Anne Hill retired teacher

Gwen Knight scientist, PhD student

Michael Barnett Retired science teacher

Bernard Cohen scientist, Visiting Professor

Iain Turnbull Principal IT Officer

Jan Stephan Lundquist Program Manager, United States

David Harper Business Owner, Technical Director

Pawel Krol Student

Sander Land scientist, DPhil Student in Computer Science,

John Staunton Consultant, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Ambassador

Robert Walker Retired teacher

Derek Newbury Educational Psychologist

Paul Lewis Retired GP

John Morrison Intelligence and Security Advisor

Vincent Golding Business Consultant, Director

Kurt Ehnle Mr Ophthalmic Assistant, USA

John Williams Principal Systems Engineer

Peter Newsome HE Support, Learner Support Advisor

Stuart White Consultant Anaesthetist

Greg Whited Territory Performance Manager, USA

Ian Simpson scientist, Research Fellow, Scotland UK

Annette Evans

Joanne Elmes

Peter Wordsworth Science teacher

Eerke Boiten scientist, senior lecturer in Computer Science

Bill Thornton Computer Programer, Developer

Jonathan Neylon Medical doctor

Chris Cooper Landscaper, USA

Simon Cross Student

colin prowse scientist, teacher

Penny Waheed

Amanda Phillips Student

Kelvin Ellis

Pete Melbourne Company Director

Anne Price Local Authority Admin

Derek Price Company Director

Peter Wilson Retired CEng

Arieh Iserles Scientist, Professor of Mathematics

Robert Pollack scientist, Researcher

Derek Brown Retired Civil Servant

Roger Rivett Engineer

Sandra Prow Medical Software, Data Quality Manager

Iain Whiteside Postgraduate Student

Andrew Gibbons Natural Science Student

Harry Whitehouse journalist

Richard Jones Retired physics teacher

Rachel Walmsley

John Faithfull scientist, Curator (Mineralogy/Petrology)

Alex Craig Actuarial Consultant

Michael Eccleshall Public Relations

Harry Braviner scientist, PhD Student

Andrew Taylor

David McMullen Pharmacist

Daire O'Brien, Ireland

Ross Hemingway scientist, GP

Mike Allen Engineer

Fraser Davidson Motion Graphics & Animation Designer

Angus Whyte scientist, Research Officer

Stuart Tanquist Executive Vice President, USA

Samuel Mindel student

Jane Hoare

Peter McOwan scientist, Professor of Computer Science

Dilip Dave Manager in NHS, Manager

Liisa Milne, Canada

Neil Demby Pharmacist

James Steinberg scientist, Undergraduate Research Assistant, USA

Benjamin Thomas Student

Timothy Green scientist, MSci student

Allison Whitchurch Massage therapist

Sergio Morales scientist, Costa Rica

John Talbot Paramedic, Clinical Supervisor

Gabor Kovacs Solicitor

Donna Maddox Computer Programmer, Philippines

Marc Mattson Education Publishing, United States

Peter Morris Web Developer

Philip Kettle

Jeff Herrold Teacher, United States

Andreas Sjöström machine operator, Sweden

James Jackson Retired scientist

David Fathers Scientist, Teacher

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Alan Synnott scientist

Emily Tesh Student

Professor Ross Anderson scientist, Professor of Security Engineering

Gillian Jordan

Doug Bennion software designer, Canada

Jason Hancock Building Contractor

Ian Esling Computer Programmer

Debbie Gandy Project Manager/Business Analyst

Nathan Dunn Computer Network Administrator, Australia

Nihar Gondalia, Ontario

Edward Zieba scientist, Student

Ronald J Riley Inventor and entrepreneur, United States

Stephen Totten Technician

Peter Wood scientist, Senior Lecturer

Julia Pierce Freelance Science Journalist

Craig Anderson Project Scientist, Australia

Geoff Bowyer Chartered Accountant, Somerset

Tom Dancer Web Developer

Meg McFarlane Tech Support and Blogger, Australia

Wayne Johnston Engineer, Software Development Manager, Canada

Michael Pope Chemical Engineer, Strategist, Australia

Sophie Lagace Engineer, Environmental engineer, United States

Dimo Petroff Student

Jeremy Bilder Property Management

Philip Bearton IT Technician, Manager

Michael S Pierce Physicist, USA

Eleanor Lucas

John Tait Consultant, Director

Anthony Tortorici scientist, Student, Australia

Justin Harbin Student

John Noble IT Consultant, Service Development Lead, Australia

Dustin Cline student, USA

Alex Howard Student, United States

Iván J Rodríguez Computer Specialist, Puerto Rico

Brian Ellis IT Professional

Vaibhav Prakash Graduate Student, New Zealand

Mark Schaffer, United States

Arleth Kerry Student, Singapore

Per-Ake Dahl Ejemark System Engineer, Sweden

Andy Owen Associate Producer, United States

Joe McCool programmer, Ireland

Daniel Franzén Software engineer, Sweden

John Skinner architect, Germany

Caroline Edwardson Property Management

Martin Shepperd Professor of Software Technology

Carl Nyberg Systems analyst, Sweden

Brian Spencer Head of Computing

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Partha Lal, PhD Student

Ronnie Harris, United States

Ian Patterson Retired IT Consultant

Edward Zanders scientist, Director

John Clark scientist, Professor of Critical Systems

Adrian Coles IT Manager

Pierre Linus Antonio Jonsson, Sweden

Kira Mourao scientist, PhD Student

Graham Dutfield Academic, Professor of International Governance

David Watt Professor of Computing Science

Tim Hopkins scientist, Reader in Numerical Computing

Carl Anders

Carolyn Howard-Johnston

Paul Blake Aquarium owner/manager

Matthew Fellows Software Developer

Chris Towell scientist

Leon Sebastian Illis scientist

Alan Sealey

Robert Flavell IT analyst

Richard Turner IT Director

Ian Parker

Mark Thomas IT Consultant

Dr Kenneth MacDonald IT, Computing Officer

Michael Smith scientist, PhD Student

Thomas Eccles Student

Allan Clark scientist, Research Assistant

Ronan Turner scientist, Computer Science Student

Are Thunes Samsonsen Journalist, Norway

Anuradha Jagalur

Thomas Meakin

Sid Plait Computer Consultant, USA

Ian Sommerville Scientist, Professor of Computer Science

James Kempster Finance, Investment Analyst

Arthur Richards Retired Headteacher

Catherine Gater Public Relations, Switzerland

Christine Dyer Retired IT Project Manager

Paul Harwood Graphic Designer

Naomi Nunn Education, Alumni Relations

Gordon Waldie Retired Civil Servant

Yianni Papaioannou

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Peter Cobbold scientist, Emeritus Professor

David Keech

Chris Murphy Designer

Alexander Gammerman scientist, Professor

Dr Stephen Day scientist, Lecturer

Alexei Tepikin Professor of Physiology

Shakir Ali scientist, Systems Manager

Nicholas Severs Professor of Cell Biology

Vaclav Brozek scientist, Research Fellow

Stephen Lennon

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Rod Dimaline Professor of Physiology

Luanne O'Neill science educator, science curriculum specialist, USA

Harold Eckert scientist, Emeritus Consultant Oncologist

Tim Paxton IT Manager

Brian Williams scientist, Research Assisstant

Paul Downs IT Engineer

Dr. Mike Just scientist

Brian Murff Jet Engine Technician

Joe Poynton Fire Fighter

Philip Verity Retired Engineer

Garry Hale Retired maths teacher

Karl Swann scientist, Professor

Suzanne Gildert scientist, Research Fellow in Physics

Tim Swift scientist, Lecturer In Mathematics

Steven Jewkes Software Engineer

Jan Carver

George Kellett scientist, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Physiology

Ravichander Vipperla scientist, PhD Student

Alan Cuthbert scientist, Emeritus Professor of Pharmaclogy

Paul Gledhill academic

Dominic Walliman scientist, PhD Research Student

Michel Genon Doctor, Australia

Andrew Halestrap scientist, Professor of Biochemistry,

Alexander K Svanevik scientist, MSc Student in Cognitive Science

Charlotte Manifold Counselling, Student

Willem Heijltjes scientist, PhD Student

Neil Haggath Software engineer

Brian Hulls retired firefighter

Jim Ryan Solicitor

Jeanette Green Office worker

David Turner Engineer

Tatiana Rybina scientist, research associate

Barbara Xella Post-Doctoral Scientist

Alex Haddock IT, Technical Consultant

Leigh Jackson

Tom Wolf scientist, Teacher

Chris Chelu Physics Teacher

Christopher Carus Prison Officer

Alan Underwood Design Engineer

Zarif Rasul

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Joe Cooper Teacher

Tom Hall Infrastructure Architect

James Cornhill

Howard Wright scientist, Speech Technologist

Kate Byrne scientist, research fellow,

Clare Dixon Accountant, Business Analyst

Rubin Thomas California

Simon Whyte Lawyer

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Morgan Cathcart Systems Engineer

Tania Charman

Rajesh KHER Engineer, CTO, India

Nigel Franks Retired patent examiner, France

Nicholas Seymour scientist

Yasmina Muthu Research student

Annabel Dow

Chaz Brenchley Novelist

Jane Hillston scientist, Professor of Quantitative Modelling

Oliver Jevons Management Consultant

Balazs Varga Programmer, Hungary

Joey Bryan Education, School Bd Member, USA

Diana O'Carroll journalist, producer, presenter

Julian Temple scientist

Dave Copland Software Engineer

Kevin Donnell Analyst, USA

Denise Patterso-Monroe baker

    Last updated: December 10 2009

Simon Singh granted leave to appeal

Tuesday 14th October 2009


This morning at the Royal Courts of Justice Simon Singh was granted leave to appeal the preliminary ruling on meaning in his libel case with the BCA. In his judgement Lord Justice Laws said the balance between right to reputation and right to freedom of expression had tilted too far towards the former. He said that “There is no dispute that [Simon’s original article] is in the public interest, with no suspicion of malice and there is no question of good faith”. More on the judgement here

Simon Singh’s statement:

“This is a great result, but we now have to win the appeal…and then we have to win the trial. So there is still a long battle ahead in my case and in reforming the libel laws. Thank you to everyone for all your support and please use today’s success to encourage others to sign up to supporting libel reform.”


Coverage of the decision:

The Times Simon Singh legal victory

The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh wins ruling in chiropractic libel battle

Index on Censorship Simon Singh wins leave to appeal in BCA libel case

Press Gazette Singh wins right to fight on in chiropractic libel battle

Standpoint Magazine High Court Gives Mr Justice Eady a Good Kicking

New Statesman A defence of scientific inquiry

Nature blogs Simon Singh vs the British Chiropractic Association, redux

    Last updated: May 26 2010

Richard Dawkins on why he supports keep libel laws out of science

Address to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference Sunday 20 September 2009

"Ladies and gentlemen, I feel honoured to be a guest here today, not being a politician and not being a member of your party - although I have voted Liberal Democrat in every election since the party was founded. Admittedly it helps that my MP happens to be Evan Harris, one of parliament's most effective champions of science and rationality. I am also aware of your party's strong and consistent record on free speech issues, for example leading the campaign against the blasphemy law. It has been well said that 'Blasphemy is a victimless crime.'

It is a lamentable observation that, because of the way our laws are skewed toward the plaintiff, London has become the libel capital of the world. Litigants are coming to England from another country, to sue people who live in a third country, over a book that was published in a fourth country - the excuse being that a handful of books were sold here too. A nice little round-the-world jaunt for lawyers it may be, but sensible or liberal it is not. Nor is it just.

Of course there must be redress if you are maliciously attacked in a way that damages you. But if such a law is cast too wide it has disastrous consequences on the public interest, not least in the area of science and medicine where the stakes are high, profits and reputations are guarded jealously, and the vulnerable need to be protected from unproven or fraudulent claims for cures, whether by 'alternative' therapists or big pharmaceuticals.

As a scientist, and as Oxford's inaugural Professor of the Public Understanding of Science, I have sometimes wondered why science itself cannot sue for libel. You can legally lie about the real world to your heart's content, but until some human being is materially damaged, nobody will complain. Teachers can legally tell innocent children the palpable falsehood that the world is less than 10,000 years old (the true figure is more than 4.5 billion years). The world cannot sue you for lying about its age, because the world cannot prove that it has been damaged by the lie!

But people really can be damaged by unscientific medicine. Homeopathy is obvious nonsense, and given another two minutes I could prove it to you. It can even be damaging, if it lures patients away from seeking the best, evidence-based medical advice until it is too late. Yet before saying a thing like that, I have to look nervously over my shoulder, intimidated by the notorious English libel laws. The biologist Olivia Judson wrote last week in the New York Times: Several times this summer, science journalists in London have leaned over to me and said something along the lines of, "I was thinking of writing," and gone on to describe an article that was going to be critical of someone. "But then," the speaker would gloomily conclude, "I thought to myself, 'Simon Singh,' and I decided not to."

Back in June leading academics, publishers, journalists, performers, clinicians, and scientists issued a public statement backing that courageous hero Simon Singh. The British Chiropractors Association has sued him for criticizing chiropractic claims to cure asthma and other childhoood complaints. I and many of my colleagues fear that, if Simon loses, it would have major implications on the freedom of scientists, researchers, and other commentators to engage in robust criticism of scientific, and pseudoscientific, work. It is possible in medicine, even when you intend to do good, to do harm instead. That is why science thrives on actively encouraging criticism rather than stifling it.

Dr Ben Goldacre who writes on science in the Guardian was bogged down for years defending - ultimately successfully - a libel claim brought in London by a German millionaire vitamin-pill salesman who was promoting his pills as a cure for AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Scientists often disagree with one another, sometimes passionately. But they don't go to court to sort out their differences, they go into the lab, repeat the experiments, carefully examine the controls and the statistical analysis. We care about whether something is true, supported by the evidence. We are not interested in whether somebody sincerely believes he is right. There exist objective methods for discovering whether he is, as a matter of fact, right. If he is wrong, the evidence will show it, and – notwithstanding Judge Eadie - be blowed to whether he is sincere in his error or not.

If the British Chiropractic Association were really sincere, they wouldn't go into court to sue Simon Singh. They could have taken up the Guardian's offer of a right to reply. Or better, they could go into the lab and do an experiment to show him wrong. Why don't they submit their case to the higher court of scientific test? I think we all know the answer.

Or will I be sued for saying that? The trouble is, it's hard to know. That is the point. Do we really want discussions on matters of science, evidence and medicine, and indeed any area of public interest, to be conducted in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

Please support the amendment."

Read more about Keep Libel Laws out of Science at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference here

Back to Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign home page here

    Last updated: October 07 2009

Lib Dems make a commitment to libel law reform

SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER

Fantastic news from our busy day at the Lib Dem conference.

Sile Lane, Sense About Science:

“The Liberal Democrats voted overwhelmingly in favour of libel law reform at their party conference on Sunday 20th September 2009. This is a great step forward in recognising that the chilling, stultifying effect of the English libel laws - on scientific debates and other important public discussions - has become dangerous and intolerable. There is still much more to do.”

Simon Singh’s reaction to Lib Dems commitment to libel law reform:

“I attended the Lib Dem conference yesterday, spoke at the fringe meeting on libel reform and witnessed the overwhelming vote in favour of libel reform - it was terrific to see the issue of libel moving up the political agenda. Evan Harris MP, Richard Dawkins and Prateek Buch (who proposed the libel amendment) all did a superb job, as did Sile Lane, Nick Cohen and Ben Goldacre who all spoke at the fringe meeting. There is still a long way to go before the laws are actually reformed, but the combination of popular support coupled with an obvious problem is clearly having an impact. If we can get 100,000 supporters, or perhaps 1 million supporters, then it will be hard for any political party to ignore the campaign for libel reform.”


Richard Dawkins addresses the Lib Dems on libel law reform. Read more.

Watch Professor Dawkins address the conference here and read his speech here

Press Coverage

 

BBC Online Relax ‘unjust’ libel law - Dawkins

The Guardian Richard Dawkins condemns British libel laws

The Sunday Times Richard Dawkins to call for changes to Britain’s libel laws

The TelegraphLiberal Democrats back calls from Richard Dawkins to reform libel laws

Press Gazette Richard Dawkins: Libel rules create atmosphere of fear for scientists

E politix.com Libel laws pose ‘serious public health problem’

Politics.co.uk Lib Dems challenge British libel law

Politics.co.uk The law that shames Britain

    Last updated: October 18 2009

Richard Dawkins addresses Lib Dem conference


On Sunday 20th September, Professor Richard Dawkins put the case for libel law reform to the Liberal Democrat conference while proposing an amendment to the civil liberties bill.

Read his speech here

Watch video of Richard Dawkins addressing Liberal Democrat Conference here


The scientist and author appears as a guest speaker at Liberal Democrat Party Conference. He will tell the conference that the chilling effect of libel laws on public debate about science and medicine, on writers and authors and on responsible journalism can no longer be ignored. The Lib Dem conference has given its permission for Professor Dawkins - who is not a party member - to address the conference.


Dr Evan Harris MP and Professor Richard Dawkins will be speaking as part of a debate on a motion on Civil Liberties, to which the following amendment was tabled:

Conference calls for: “17. The protection of freedom of expression, by reforming the libel laws in England and Wales to ensure that a better balance is provided between free speech, responsible journalism, scientific discourse and the public interest on the one hand and powerful corporations, wealthy individuals and vested interests on the other.”

Professor Dawkins said “The effects of England’s libel laws are especially pernicious where science is concerned” and that action must be taken to stop the law being “ridiculed as an international charter for litigious mountebanks. I urge the Liberal Democrats to support the call for reform, and hope that Labour and the Conservatives will follow, so that we can get cross-party support on this vital issue.”

There are long-standing concerns that English libel laws give too much power to the claimant, leading to a ‘chilling effect’ whereby writers are unable to critically analyse scientific and medical claims, for fear of legal action.


Dr Evan Harris MP, the party’s Science spokesman and one of the leaders of the campaign who submitted the amendment, said: “Liberal Democrats have a proud record on protecting free speech and we must now also recognise that balance in defamation is not right. It is shameful that London is regarded as the ‘libel capital of the world’ - where vested interests from around the globe can exploit our antiquated libel laws to silence valid criticism. The law needs to be better balanced towards free expression, responsible journalism and the public interest and away from the rich and powerful vested interests.”

Sile Lane, Sense About Science, who is coordinating the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign, said: “Today’s debate is a great step forward in recognising that the chilling, stultifying effect of the English libel laws - on scientific debates and other important public discussions – has become dangerous and intolerable.”

Nick Ross, Broadcaster said: “If you think you support English libel laws, go and watch how they’re applied! It is not edifying - it is painfully long-winded, mired in esoteric rules, and colossally expensive. Of course people should have a right to challenge if they feel defamed. But not the way we do it. Not through indulgence of costly and adversarial lawyers and a dogged adherence to custom and practice. And a public interest defence should, by default, exempt controversies in science.”

Stephen Fry, Broadcaster and Author said: “Freedom in politics, in thought and in speech followed the rise of empirical science which refused to take anything on trust, on faith, on hope or even on reason. When a powerful organisation tries to silence a man of Simon Singh’s reputation then anyone who believes in science, fairness and the truth should rise in indignation.”

A conference fringe event debating Defending free speech - Keep libel laws out of science organised by Dr Prateek Buch and involving Sile Lane, Dr Simon Singh, Dr Ben Goldacre, Nick Cohen and Dr Evan Harris MP takes place on Sunday 20th September in Highcliff Marriott Hotel, Blandford Syndicate 3 between 13.00 and 14.15.


Coverage from the event

The Guardian Robin Ince: Why I’m backing Simon Singh and reform of English libel law

The Guardian Comedians boost libel reform with benefit gig

 

 

    Last updated: May 26 2010

Peer Review Survey 2009: Preliminary Findings

Should peer review detect fraud and misconduct? What does it do for science and what does the scientific community want it to do? Will it illuminate good ideas or shut them down? Should reviewers remain anonymous?

On 8th September 2009 the preliminary findings of one of the largest ever international surveys of authors and reviewers, the Peer Review Survey 2009 1, were released. The findings were presented in the session "Science Fact or Science Fiction: Should Peer Review Stop Plagiarism, Bias or Fraud?" at the British Science Festival, where Tracey Brown of Science About Science, David Adam of The Guardian and Peter Hayward of Lancet Infectious Diseases debated the challenges of publishing research.

Peer review is fundamental to integration of new research findings. It allows other researchers to analyse findings and society at large to weigh up research claims. It results in 1.3 million3 learned articles published every year, and it is growing rapidly with the expansion of the global research community. With that growth come new concerns - about getting the next generation of researchers to review in sufficient numbers, about maintaining the system's integrity and whether it can be truly globalised; and also new ideas - about alternative quality measures, technologies to prevent plagiarism, rewarding reviewers and training them.

Sense About Science has promoted understanding of peer review to help people to work out whether research claims have been independently scrutinised. But with all the proposed changes and expansion in research publication, what do researchers think about peer review and its future? To find out, Sense About Science developed the Peer Review Survey 2009, in consultation with editors and publishers and administered with a grant from Elsevier; the survey included some questions from the Peer Review Survey 20074 for comparison, and new questions about future improvements, public awareness and pressures on the system.

Tracey Brown, Managing Director: "The 2007 survey had raised some of the issues. We sought to broaden that, particularly to find out whether the demand for all this free, independent scrutiny from the research community is sustainable, and what the future of quality control is likely to be. It's a matter of public as well as scientific interest."

Preliminary findings include:

  1. Playing an active role in the community is top of reasons to review: 90% say they review because they believe they are playing an active role in the community; only 16% say that increasing their chances of having future papers accepted is a reason to review.
  2. Researchers want to improve, not replace peer review:
    • 84% believe that without peer review there would be no control in scientific communication, but only a third (32%) think it is the best that can be achieved; 20% of researchers believe that peer review is unsustainable because of too few willing reviewers.
    • 91% say that their last paper was improved through peer review; the discussion was the biggest area of improvement.
    • 73% of reviewers (a sub-group) say that technological advances have made it easier to do a thorough job than 5 years ago. Whilst 86% enjoy reviewing, 56% say there is a lack of guidance on how to review; 68% think formal training would help. On average, reviewers turn down two papers a year.
    • Just 15% of respondents felt that 'formal' peer review could be replaced by usage statistics.
    • 61% of reviewers have rejected an invitation to review an article in the last year, citing lack of expertise as the main reason - this suggests that journals could better identify suitable reviewers.
  3. High expectations:
    • 79% or more of researchers think that peer review should identify the best papers, determine their originality and importance, improve those papers and, though lower scoring, also determine whether research is plagiarised or fraudulent.
    • While 43% of respondents thought peer review was too slow, 65% of authors (a further sub-group) reported that they had received a decision on their most recent paper within 3 months.
  4. Reviewers want anonymity: 58% would be less likely to review if their signed report was published. 76% favour the double blind system where just the editor knows who the reviewers are.
  5. Understanding of peer review: Researchers agree that peer review is well understood by the scientific community but just 30% believe the public understands the term.
  6. Papers aren't recognising previous work: 81% think peer review should ensure previous research is acknowledged; 54% think it currently does. This reflects current concerns in the research community5.
  7. Detecting plagiarism and fraud might be a noble aim but is not practical: A majority think peer review should detect plagiarism (81%) or fraud (79%) but fewer (38% and 33%) think it is capable of this.
  8. Reviewers divided over incentives: Just over half of reviewers think receiving a payment in kind (e.g. subscription) would make them more likely to review; 41% wanted payment for reviewing, but this drops to just 2.5% if the author had to cover the cost. Acknowledgement in the journal is the most popular option.

Comment from Editors:

Robert Campbell, Wiley-Blackwell & Chairman, Publishing Research Consortium: "Most researchers give up time to review papers for no charge. The whole scholarly communication system is dependent on this. Why do they do it? This study helps us to answer the question. And I take heart in the finding that 85% of the around 4000 respondents quite simply do it because they enjoy being able to improve papers. "

Sir Brian Heap, Vice Chairman, European Academies Science Advisory Council: "These latest insights from researchers show why the peer review process continues to be so important - and enjoyable!"

Adrian Mulligan, Associate Director of Research and Academic Relations, Elsevier: "I'm impressed by the vast amount of responses to the study - it tells us just how engaged the scientific community is with peer review. Not only do they greatly value it, but they have a strong desire to enhance it. Elsevier in partnership with editors, plays an active role in developing peer review, and we are moving forward with initiatives such as Crosscheck, a pan-publisher plagiarism detection tool. We are keen to look at other ways to respond to the views raised in this survey."

Irene Hames, Managing Editor The Plant Journal, Author 'Peer Review and Manuscript Management in Scientific Journals: guidelines for good practice': "It's very important to know what authors and reviewers actually think about the current status of peer review. Too many commentators make broad generalizations that are not evidence based. So I welcome this large-scale survey from Sense About Science. Once again, the importance with which peer review is viewed comes through, with the great majority of researchers believing that without peer review there would be no control in scientific communication. That is not to say there aren't problems - there clearly are, and improvements and innovative solutions are needed. Crucial in this is the need to professionalize this area of activity, which too often is put in the hands of people who may have great academic reputations and research expertise, but no experience of running a peer-review system."

Notes
  1. The Peer Review Survey was an electronic survey conducted between 28th July 2009 and 11th August 2009; 40,000 researchers were randomly selected from the ISI author database, which contains published researchers from over 10,000 journals. Altogether 4,037 researchers completed our survey. The error margin was ± 1.5% at 95% confidence levels; reviewers answered a subset of questions aimed specifically at reviewers (3,597 - a subset of the base) the error margin for this group was ± 1.6% at 95% confidence levels.
  2. The full findings and report are due to be published in November 2009.
  3. Bjork et al (2008) 'Global annual volume of peer reviewed scholarly articles and the share available via different Open Access options' Proceedings ELPUB2008 Conference on Electronic Publishing - Toronto, Canada - June 2008
  4. Publishing Research Consortium (2007) 'Peer Review in Scholarly Journals: perspective of the scholarly community. An international study'
  5. Chalmers & Glasziou (2009) 'Avoidable waste in the production and reporting of research evidence' The Lancet; 374: 86-89.
  6. Media Coverage

    The Times Online A review of peer review

    Times Higher Education Peer Reviewers satisfied with the system

    BBC World Service Europe Today(about 20 minutes into clip)

    Nature blogs Peer review reviewed

    Chemistry World Peer review under the microscope

    Information World Review Researchers show loyalty to peer review but want a lot more from it

    Physics World blog And the survey say...

        Last updated: September 10 2009

    WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea

    21st August 2009: The WHO has responded to the open letter and said that it DOES NOT recommend the use of homeopathy for treating HIV, TB, malaria, influenza and infant diarrhoea. The Director General’s office has confirmed that the responses from WHO departments (below) “clearly express the WHO’s position”. Today the Voice of Young Science network, has written to the health ministers of all countries to publicise the WHO’s position, asking them to combat the promotion of homeopathy for these dangerous diseases.

    Comments from the WHO:

    Dr Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB Department, WHO: “Our evidence-based WHO TB treatment/management guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC) do not recommend use of homeopathy.”

    Dr Mukund Uplekar, TB Strategy and Health Systems, WHO: “WHO’s evidence-based guidelines on treatment of tuberculosis…have no place for homeopathic medicines.”

    Dr Teguest Guerma, Director Ad Interim, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO: “The WHO Dept. of HIV/AIDS invests considerable human and financial resources [...] to ensure access to evidence-based medical information and to clinically proven, efficacious, and safe treatment for HIV… Let me end by congratulating the young clinicians and researchers of Sense About Science for their efforts to ensure evidence-based approaches to treating and caring for people living with HIV.”

    Dr Sergio Spinaci, Associate Director, Global Malaria Programme, WHO: “Thanks for the amazing documentation and for whistle blowing on this issue… The Global Malaria programme recommends that malaria is treated following the WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria.”

    Joe Martines, on behalf of Dr Elizabeth Mason, Director, Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, WHO: “We have found no evidence to date that homeopathy would bring any benefit to the treatment of diarrhoea in children…Homeopathy does not focus on the treatment and prevention of dehydration - in total contradiction with the scientific basis and our recommendations for the management of diarrhoea.”

    Media Coverage

    BBC online Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO

    BMJ WHO warns against using homoeopathy to treat serious diseases

    The Independent Steve Connor: Lack of waves causes ripples of excitement

    Kaiser Family Foundation WHO Recommends Against Using Homeopathic Treatments For HIV, TB, Malaria, Influenza, Infant Diarrhea

    USA Today WHO warns against homeopathy treatments

    Rocket News WHO warns against homeopathy use

    Digital Journal Medics Condemn Homeopathic Treatments

    Newser WHO Sounds Alarm on Homeopathy

    World News Network WHO warns against homeopathy use

    Drugs and Diseases Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO

    NetDoctor Homeopathy ‘not a cure’ for disease

    The Millenium Project WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea

    hc2d.co.uk Homeopathy not recommended by WHO

    PharmiWeb.com Homeopathy: No Science, No Proof, No Cure

    Ghana Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use

    Kenya Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use

    El Pais, Spain La OMS desaconseja el uso de la homeopatia para el tratamiento del sida o la malaria

    L’Express, France Faut-il se mefier de l’homeopathie?

    NU.nl, Netherlands WHO waarschuwt voor homeopathie

    Eesti Paevaleht, Estonia WHO hoiatab HIVi ja malaaria homoopaatilise ravi eest

    Helsingin Sanomat, Finland WHO varoittaa homeopaattisista hoidoista

    Corriere della Sera, Italy Oms: preoccupazione per la diffusione dell’omeopatia nel terzo mondo

    Delfi, Lithuania Pasauline sveikatos organizacija ispeja del homeopatijos naudojimo

    Polskie Radio, Poland WHO ostrzega przed homeopatia

    Journal of Turkish Weekly WHO warns against homeopathy use

    The Times of India Homeopathy doesn’t help in HIV, TB, malaria

    Thaindian News, Thailand People with HIV, TB, malaria should not rely on homeopathy, says WHO

    The News, Pakistan WHO warns against homeopathy treatments

    Estadao.com.br, Brazil OMS alerta para risco de homeopatia contra Aids e malaria

    Excelsior, Mexico Desaconseja OMS homeopatia para sida, tuberculosis o malaria

    SurySur, Argentina El imposible caso del Dr. House homeopata

    Le Mauricien, Mauritius Dangerous homeopathy

    Radio Netherlands Worldwide Sceptics want homeopathy banned in Africa, RADIO INTERVIEW




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        Last updated: August 27 2009

    Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 17

    ***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.

    Main Page

    Read the statement

    Sign the statement


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    Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated

    Gerard Duncan Northern Ireland

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    Alex Walker Scientific Project Manager

    David Evans Professor of Virology

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    Jan Wallin Engineer, Sweden

    Dominic Ames Student

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    Lesley-Anne Reidie Research Scientist

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    Sukant Khurana Scientist, USA

    Patrick Linzer Statistician, South Africa

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    John P. Jackson

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    John P. Jackson GP, Switzerland

    Toby Dignum Dentist

    Jonas Haase Archivist, Germany

    Matt White Financial Analyst

    Julie Melano Australia

    Christopher Owen USA

    Terry Scurr Retired Local Government Officer

    Anne Moore USA

    Maria McAdam Bookkeeper, Australia

    Ben Towell Engineer

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    Andrew BarwellPostgraduate Researcher in Mathematics

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    Stewart Cross Vice Principal

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    Mark Ketley Structural Engineer

    Amit Agarwal Software

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    Tim Little Student

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    Francis Burton Scientist

    Anthony Attwood Telecommunications Engineer

    Janet Holmes Australia

    Thomas A. Vojir Scientist, USA

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    Kathleen Burn Manager

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    Jack Holden TV Editor

    Paul Milton Training Secondary Chemistry Teacher

    Joseph Momberg Consultant

    Bill Jordan Tutor, Australia

    Andy Dring

    Samantha Winter Biomechanics

    Birger Lindberg Sweden

    Donald Reid Scientist, PhD student

    Michael Fife Engineer

    Richard Dunning Medical Practitioner, Saudi Arabia

    Virginia Leggatt Medical Doctor

    Maria Allison Pharmacist

    James Reagan Retired Public Health Officer, USA

    Georgeanne Scharf Retired Teacher, USA

    Stuart M. Miller Cardiologist, USA

    Erik Fitzpatrick Retired M.D., USA

    Henry Adam Scientist

    Simon Hayes IT Consultant

    Joseph G. Michel Family Physician, Canada

    Kaustubh Girme Software Developer, India

    Hugh Gormley Video Producer, Australia

    Robert Cutler USA

    David Petticrew Science Teacher

    Jeffrey Marshall Pharmacist, USA

    Robin Bodley Electronics Technician, New Zealand

    Dave Rainham Physician, Canada

    Izabella Balakirsky Nurse

    Grenville Kato-Morcom Horticulturist, Australia

    Alessandro Falcone IT Consultant, Italy

    William Stork Educator, Hong Kong

    Vernon John Civil Servant

    Robert Ross Educator

    David J. Smith Research Fellow

    Phillip J. Gaskill Editor,USA

    Ross Dunne Scientist, Ireland

    John Griffith Doctor

    Jeannie Smith Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

    Helen Gray Midwife

    Greg Blakeley Customer Service Assistant

    Ben Cosway Medical Student, Wales

    Tim Beeton Civil Servant

    David Corcoran Student

    Lawrence Melaik Dentist, USA

    Karen Donaldson Physician, USA

    Henry Rowe Physician, USA

    Gabriel Acock Library Assistant, USA

    Ken Campbell Clinical Information Officer

    Daniel Beegan Retired Journalist and Monastic Monk, USA

    Marco Bertamini Scientist

    Johnny Carrington Art History Student

    Hannah Milton GP Registrar

    Tom Yates Doctor, Academic Foundation Programme Trainee

    Vanessa Jessop Medical Student

    Niklas Theorin Scientist, Sweden

    Neil Gaiman Author, UK and USA

    Jason Poley Animator, Australia

    Lawrence Matson Geologist, USA

    Lee Mctaggart Bar/restaurant Manager

    Eric Clark Author

    Peter Moore Database Administrator

    James Chan Medical Student

    Warren Bonett Bookshop Owner, Australia

    Bryony Whipp Medical Officer

    Elizabeth Gordon Surgeon

    Anders Martinsson Science Teacher, Sweden

    Stephen Glass Researcher, Australia

    Robert Morgan Analytical Chemist

    Kate Carmody Accountant

    Adrian Gibbs

    Cory Skinner Actuary, Canada

    Richard Wagner Clinical Pharmacist, USA

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    Thomas Wise Artist, USA

    Anthony Johnston Software Company

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    Elizabeth Oakden Scientist

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    Brittany Scott-Rimington Student in Mathematical Sciences, Australia

    Steven Parfitt Police Officer, Australia

    Eli Anne Eiesland Linguist, Norway

    Stefan Gates TV Presenter and Author

    Roger Fletcher Medic

    Warwick Green Surveyor

    Andrew McGrath Scientist, Senior Research Fellow, Australia

    Andy Irvine Engineering Contracts Manager

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    Linda Arvhult Medical Student, Sweden

    Lennart Widlund Physicist, Sweden

    Eloise Cook Science Student, Australia

    Leila Eadie Researcher

    Gordon Drummond Doctor of Medicine

    Ruth Paget Health Editor

    Rob Freeman Post-Doc

    Natalie Kay-Thatcher Student

    Robin White

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    Ed Verf Scientist

    Simon Johnson

    Mike Collins Independent Scholar

    Percy Ferry IT Programmer, Australia

    Liam McDaid Astronomy Coordinator and Professor of Astronomy, USA

    Stephanie Adamovsky USA

    Robin Catchpole Astronomer

    Martin Jonsson-Niedziolka Research Fellow, Poland

    Victor Mattheij Chemical Engineer, Spain

    Lee Shorney Customer Service

    John Chapple Trade Unionist

    Henrik Petren Scientist, Sweden

    William Fisher Teacher

    Mark Dowson Chartered Accountant

    Erin Nephin Librarian

    Richard Ballema Printer, USA

    Serena Viti Reader in Astrophysics

    Linda Mihkelson

    Shane Rogers Student, USA

    Robert Rowe Advanced Biomedical Scientist

    David Branson Graduate Student in Biology, USA

    Paul Mitchell Principal Lecturer in Ecology

    Andrew Malloy Publisher

    Thomas Terry Registered Nurse, USA

    Jonathan Allcock Teacher

    Ric Bek Engineer

    Michael Wardman Computer Consultant, Australia

    Zsolt Nemeth Engineer, Hungary

    Benjamin Leslie Student

    Ryan Treby Austraila

    Anthony Jordan Actuary

    Allen Elledge Pressman, USA

    Frances Yeoman Journalist

    Kay Magaard Scientist

    Pete Evanson Assistant Registrar

    Angela Dillon Psychologist

    Ben Cronin Manager

    Deepesh Srivastava Software Engineer

    Grant Webb Scientist

    Christopher Makin

    Alix Biancardi Science Writer/Editor

    Laurel Cave

    Kelly Banco Pharmacy Student, Canada

    Frank Van Maroey Computer Programmer, Belgium

    Paul Bosomworth Business Owner, USA

    Luke Costa Nutrition Consultant, Australia

    Jodie Ward Librarian

    Thomas Milton Veterinary Science Student, Australia

    James Griffiths Software Engineer

    Stuart McNeil Chartered Engineer

    David Allan Student/Volunteer

    Bernard Betts Retired Scientist

    Iain Holmes Computer Programmer, North Ireland

    Wim Lemkens Software Developer, Belgium

    Rory Morrison Researcher

    Claire Lock Biomedical Scientist

    John Joyce Doctor

    Mark Burns IT Manager

    Samuel Durkin Mental Health Services, USA

    John Swartzberg Medical Doctor Clinical Professor, USA

    Thomas Perls Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, USA

    Ravi Dunn

    Shawn Adams Student, USA

    Alexander Mitchell Retired Auditor

    Ian Chamberlain Journalist

    Henry Adam Retired Scientist

    Kevin Henderson Electrician, Canada

    Gary Thompson OHS Professional, Australia

    Pedro Molina-Sanchez Postgraduate Student

    Alvar Laigna Information Services Developer, Estonia

    Mirenchu Fernandez Photographer, USA

    Peter Nave Retired Scientist, Germany

    Diana Gilbert Retired Physics Teacher, Ireland

    David Williams Accountant

    Christopher Fowler Civil Servant

    Lauren Cook Scientist, USA

    Steve Hoyt Marine Archeologist, USA

    Norman Franzen Mathematician PhD, USA

    Jason Sigritz Student

    Roderick Eaton Analyst and Technologist

    Matt Price Scientist

    Victor Ainsworth Book Seller

    Candida Craig Weston Former Advisor to Local and National Government

    Annette Dolphin Professor of Pharmacology

    Paul Millington Scientist

    Alan Dinehart DC Retired Chiropractor, USA

    Peter Lefley General Practitioner

    Susan Shakespeare Barrister

    Mary Atherton Teacher

    George Nixon Student

    Randy Lewis USA

    Effrosyni Papamichalopoulou Attorney at Law, Greece

    Andy Pratt Regulatory Afffairs Manager

    Paul Brown Data Mining Consultant

    Darragh Wilson Science/Engineering Student, Australia

    Neil Tisdale Engineer

    Jeffrey Cann Software Engineer

    James Pringle Professor of Theoretical Astronomy

    Dillon Taylor Educator, South Korea

    Henrik Barth Physician, Sweden

    Stephen McGilp IT

    Matthew Leifer Postdoctoral Researcher

    Owen Rackham Phd Student

    Veronica Gardell Student, Sweden

    Jim Leonard Programmer, USA

    Isabeau Premont-Schwarz Scientist

    Ian Durham Professor of Physics, USA

    Christopher Burrows Undergraduate Student, Canada

    Richard Gill Professor of Mathematical Statistics, Netherlands

    Louise Heiniger Research Assistant, Australia

    Chris Rook General Practitioner, Australia

    Sarah Moore Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology

    Philip Adsley Scientist, PhD Student

    Ivan Peters Developer, New Zealand

    Michael Wakelam Professor

    David Swallow Research Associate

    Robert Collins Teacher

    Joel Sorensson Engineer, Sweden

    Peter Kavanagh Engineer, Ireland

    Jeremy Taylor IT Consultant

    Ian Mitchell Scientist, Canada

    Rhian Skirving Documentary Filmmaker, Australia

    Philip Steele Computer Analyst, Australia

    Jessica Rowden Student

    Aviv Zohar PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Israel

    Matthew Christopherson Specialist Registrar in Paediatrics

    Sarah Cole Science Communicator, Australia

    Roberta Connor

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    Paul Caira Teacher, Head of Mathematics

    Kate Brown Illustrator, Comic Book Artist

    Ronan O'Sullivan Software Developer, Ireland

    Michael Sherry Postgraduate Student, Ireland

    Stinus Lindgreen Ph.D student, Denmark

    Helen Ward GP

    Erik Peeters IT Manager, Belgium

    Sam Kalubowila Education

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    Alan Trinder Retired Pharmacist

    Judy Harris Professorial Teaching Fellow

    Jon Gurr Scientist

    Emma Jeggo HE Professional Services

    Merijn Vogel Scientific software programmer, Netherlands

    John Pardey Medical Practitioner, Australia

    Dr Serena Viti Scientist

    Michael Bush Mathematician, USA

    Simon Turner Software Developer

    Alex Paseka Assistant Professor, Canada

    Jim Deane Businessman, South Africa

    Jim Cameron IT Manager

    John MacBrayne Veterinary Surgeon

    Robin Turner QA Lab Analyst, USA

    William Sharpe Electrician, USA

    William Grant Journalist, USA

    Paul Lewis Psychiatric nurse

    Dr. Nicholas Sculthorpe Senior Lecturer Exercise Physiology

    Rodney Scott Professor of Genetics, Australia

    John Heesen Building, Belgium

    Josha Inglis Student, Australia

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    Simon Heifetz Retired Technology Executive, United States

    Arndt von Hippel retired heart surgeon, USA

    Han Kessels Researcher, Netherlands

    Sally Sykes Portrait Painter, Portugal

    Allen Wright

    Richard Landsman Skier, USA

    Andreas Lochmann Scientist, Germany

    Mark Griffiths Education

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    Jay Lee United States

    Joel Fyan Software Developer, United States of America

    David Lemmo Education, Student, United States

    Sherry Jones Software Developer, USA

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    Kirk Kolas Veterinarian, Canada

    Chris Barber scientist, Undergraduate Astrophysics Student, Canada

    Martin Wright

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    Mike Hutchings scientist, Research manager chemical industry

    John Hallewell scientist, Retired Teacher

    Ron Kindon Retired Headteacher, previously Head of Science Department

    Angelo Bruno Truck Driver, USA

    Ilya Eigenbrot Education, Principal, Switzerland

    Orry Quine Retired teacher

    Joanna Griffith scientist, PhD student, Australia

    Rachel Yates scientist, Assistant Psychologist

    Adrian Whipp Technician, United States

    Robert Enzenauer Physician Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Professor and Chair Ophthalmology, USA

    Knute Rife Attorney, USA

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    Tim Field retired computer programmer, USA

    Ian Brown teacher, secondary school teacher of languages, Belgium

    Danny Baxter student

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    Felicity Currie scientist

    Stephen Halder Publisher

    Peter van der Feen Video Editor Dutch Broadcast, the Netherlands

    David Dean Physiotherapy, Lecturer in Physiotherapy

    Vanessa Lawton scientist, Consultant Obstetrician; Gynaecologist

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    Adrian Mason scientist

    Tim Thorley

    Michael Fox USA

    Alexander Gee Engineer

    Wim Van der Weerd retired designer, France

    Douglas Sebom Military service, Sweden

    Darin Hawley Information Technology, USA

    Nadine Hengen Educator, Luxembourg

    Laura Turnham Science researcher

    Hans Cox Student, USA

    Steve Moore Housing Association Manager

    Chris Ratley Insurance Agent, USA

    Henning William Halck Senior Revenues Officer

    Mike Bernays Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Australia

    Caitlin Fry Bookseller, PhD student, Australia

    Jason Spyromilio Astronomer, Germany

    Joeri De Rijck Materials Science, Belgium

    Tharin Blumenschein Lecturer in Biomolecular NMR,

    Mattias Sandstrom Student, Sweden

    Don Cox Lecturer

    Adi Himpson Communications Manager for an e-Research Centre,

    Kevin Kooiker Emergency physician, United States of America

    Thomas Kirkland Staff Scientist, USA

    Eric Robinson Film maker, Director

    John Morris IT Manager

    John Harford

    Norton Bell Engineer, USA

    Melvin Kirschner Family Physician and Biomedical Ethicist, USA

    Ben Molony Finance

    Michael Derousselle Network Administrator, United States

    Jerry Morrow

    David Wendt USA

    Paul Pettyjohn USA

    Geert Jan van Oldenborgh Senior researcher, Netherlands

    Adam Barnes Finance

    Hetty Malcolm-Smith

    Rick Scorner

    Pardeep Bamrah Dental Technician, Spain

    Alan Dobson Software Engineer

    Pascal Tissot IT Professional

    Piers Nye University Lecturer

    Curtis Renwick Canada

    Arthur Landy PhD

    Mark Gibbons Student of mathematics and physics

    Thad Woodard MD, United States

    Owen Murphy College nutrition instructor, United States

    Susan Fitzpatrick

    Matthew Hewitt Freelance Broadcast Journalist

    Ron Carey, Australia

    András Horváth HR Consultant, Hungary

    Conor Magee Surgeon

    John Eggleton Doctor (GP

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        Last updated: December 10 2009

    Libel case continues after denial of permission from Court of Appeal

    Simon Singh’s statement Tuesday 11th August 2009

    I can confirm today that I have applied for a hearing to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider its recent denial of permission. For anyone new to the case, here is a brief timeline of events:

    2008 April I publish an article about chiropractic in the Guardian.

    2008 July  The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) sues me personally for libel.

    2009 May  High Court gives a very negative ruling on the meaning of my article.

    2009 June  I ask for permission to appeal the ruling on meaning (paper application).

    2009 July The application to appeal is rejected.

    2009 August  I am now asking again for permission to appeal the ruling.

    The new application will be oral, as opposed to the previous one, which was on paper. As always, the legal blogger Jack of Kent has been eloquently summarising the developments in my case and you can get up to speed by visiting:

    http://jackofkent.blogspot.com/2009/07/simon-singh-loses-first-attempt-at.html

    http://jackofkent.blogspot.com/2009/08/simons-choice.html

    http://jackofkent.blogspot.com/2009/08/length-of-simon-singhs-skeleton-reasons.html

    A great deal has happened since my original article was published back in April 2008 and I suspect that the libel case will continue for many more months (or maybe years), so perhaps now is a good time to review the situation and explain my thoughts about the future of the case. In particular, the ‘Heresy Corner’ blog contains an open letter to me, which raises some interesting points, and I will address some of these.


    Is it time to give up?

    W.C. Fields said: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. Then quit. There’s no use in being a damn fool about it.’ However, as yet I don’t think I am anywhere close to giving up and I don’t think I am behaving like a ‘damn fool’.

    Before embarking on this battle I was confident about three key points. First, I believed that I was doing the right thing in standing by my article. Second, I believed that I stood a reasonable or good chance of winning. Third, if I did lose, I knew that the financial loss would not bankrupt me. One year later, I still believe that I am right, that I stand a reasonable (but not good) chance of winning and that I will not be bankrupted.

    At each stage of the legal process I have very carefully weighed up the options and discussed the situation with legal experts, friends and supporters. For example, right now, it seems obvious that I should persist with the appeal process - I accept that that an oral application to appeal stands less than a 50% chance of success, but the additional costs are relatively small and the potential rewards are enormous; in the long run, if I can successfully win my case, I could recoup my own costs, force the British Chiropractic Association to pay its own costs and reinforce my concerns about the lack of evidence surrounding some chiropractic treatments.


    Any regrets?

    Of course, the initial ruling on meaning and the recent refusal of my application to appeal are hugely disappointing, but I have no regrets about the path I have chosen. My article is correct, it is about an important health issue and I believe I ought to defend it. Also, as I have said previously, I still have a chance of successfully defending the case and in the worst case scenario I will not be destroyed.

    Moreover, there have already been many positive outcomes emerging from the case.  For instance, the legal battle has shone a light on chiropractors and their claims; there have been major articles in magazines such as ‘New Scientist’ and the ‘British Medical Journal,’ and, of course, bloggers have been writing extensively about the lack of evidence for some chiropractic claims.

    Moreover, as a result of the media attention given to chiropractic, the BCA seems to have stopped promoting chiropractic in the treatment of various childhood conditions. Moreover, many chiropractic clinics have withdrawn their some of their claims because of pressure from bloggers and threat of action from Trading Standards Offices and Advertising Standards Authorities.

    Also, my article and the resulting legal case raise concerns about whether the regulation of chiropractors has been effective or beneficial for patients. Chiropractic is one of only two alternative therapies that have been regulated in the UK and the current question is whether more alternative therapies should be regulated. Indeed, this is discussed in the controversial Pitillo Report, which was written by the ‘Department of Health Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the UK’. Consultation on this report has just opened and it is important to provide feedback on its recommendations, perhaps in light of the disappointing consequences of chiropractic regulation. You can find out more about the Pitillo Report at Professor David Colquhoun’s excellent blog: http://www.dcscience.net/?p=2007

    I am also delighted that my case has helped galvanise interest in the broader issue of libel reform. This ranges from the Sense About Science Campaign (http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/freedebate/) to increased media coverage of the issue. The BBC is currently making a major series on the issue of libel and has already filmed several interviews with figures who have a direct interest in my case.

    In summary, I have no regrets about fighting this libel case. I am determined to defend my article. The support and advice from family, friends, bloggers, skeptics and supporters from across the world has been extraordinary. The feedback that I am receiving suggests that I am doing the right thing.


    What happens if the oral application to appeal is rejected?

    There are a few possibilities if the oral application to appeal is rejected.

    The first option, having exhausted the English appeal process on the issue of meaning, would be to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), probably with reference to Article 10, which is the right to free expression.

    Alternatively, I could return to the preliminary hearing, which is currently unfinished. The outstanding aspect of my defence (not covered in the May preliminary hearing) questions whether a corporation without shareholders can sue for libel. The BCA’s reputation is with its members and not the public, because it serves its members and does not trade with the public; my article was aimed at the public and would not have damaged the BCA’s reputation with its members.

    From Mr Justice Eady’s previous assessment of my case, I suspect that he will not be convinced by the corporate argument and would rule against me. However, I could apply to appeal this ruling and, if I am not successful in the English courts, take this take this additional point to the ECtHR.

    Taking the case to the ECtHR on either one or both points could take years. However, that is absolutely fine by me. For the arguments made earlier, I think this is a perfectly sensible fight, whether it takes months or years. Remember, at the heart of the case is whether or not chiropractic can help children with serious ailments. More broadly, there is the issue of how freely a journalist can speak out on a matter of public interest.

    Also, if the case goes to Europe, then my solicitor Robert Dougans and his company Bryan Cave have assured me that they would provide their services pro bono. Bearing in mind the costs and time involved, this is a very generous gesture and I am very grateful.


    Why is Simon being so stubborn?

    Over the last decade, my main job has been writing books about science (including maths, technology and medicine), but in between writing books I have always got involved in other projects. For example, after writing ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’, I developed and presented ‘Mind Games’ on BBC4. Then, after ‘The Code Book’, I co-founded the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme. And, after ‘Big Bang’, I worked with Richard Wiseman on ‘Theatre of Science’ and initiated ‘The Enigma Project’ in schools.

    I view my current legal battle as just another in-between-books project. This legal battle is more expensive than initiating an educational project and less fun than Theatre of Science, but otherwise it meets many of the criteria that I look for in a project.

    If the court case comes to an end then I hope that I will be able to start writing a new book next year. In the meantime, I have cleared my diary in order to focus on the libel case. And, if necessary, I would delay the start of any new book project in order to properly defend my article in court.

    In short, I am not being stubborn. In fact, bearing in mind the issues at stake (ranging from chiropractic to children’s health to the libel laws), I think this is an excellent use of my time.

    Those who are close to me have questioned, challenged and ultimately backed me. If I ever get to the point of becoming blinkered and quixotic, then I know that these same friends and wise folk will tell me that I am being crazy. At that point I will be ready to back down and settle the case. Until I reach that point, I am battling on.

    Ps. Latest news - oral hearing set for 14th October.




        Last updated: October 07 2009

    Simon Singh loses first attempt at permission to appeal

    Simon Singh’s statement

    Tuesday 11th August 2009

    I can confirm today that I have applied for a hearing to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider its recent denial of permission. For anyone new to the case, here is a brief timeline of events:

    2008 April I publish an article about chiropractic in the Guardian.

    2008 July  The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) sues me personally for libel.

    2009 May  High Court gives a very negative ruling on the meaning of my article.

    2009 June  I ask for permission to appeal the ruling on meaning (paper application).

    2009 July The application to appeal is rejected.

    2009 August  I am now asking again for permission to appeal the ruling.

    The new application will be oral, as opposed to the previous one, which was on paper. The oral hearing is set for 14th October

    Continue reading Simon’s statement here


    Friday 31st July 2009

    David Allen Green explains the court’s decision:

    “The Court Office today confirmed to me that, in an Order sealed on 30 July 2009, the Court of Appeal has refused Simon Singh’s application for permission to appeal (PTA). Letters have been sent to the parties (but there is a post strike in London.) Simon Singh needed PTA because it had been refused at first instance at the preliminary hearing in May. There are no further details yet, including reasons. I understand that this refusal may now mean he can make an “oral renewal” before the Court of Appeal. More information will be provided as it becomes available”

    Sense About Science response to the court’s decision:

    “It was announced today that the Court of Appeal has denied Simon Singh leave to appeal the preliminary ruling in his libel case with the British Chiropractic Association. Simon now has an option to apply for an oral hearing to try to overturn that decision. If he decides not to or if this fails his case will be tried on a meaning of a phrase he did not intend and is indefensible. This decision highlights the problem of narrow defences that, along with high costs and wide jurisdiction, make the English libel laws so restrictive to free speech.

    The Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign is working with Index on Censorship, EnglishPEN, Article 19 and the legal writer David Allen Green to put together proposals for a solid public interest defence that would affect science and health writing and journalism more widely. Meanwhile, efforts to publicise the poverty of evidence for chiropractic claims, the subject of Simon’s original article, are also continuing and have become prolific in the blogosphere.”

    Simon Singh’s comment on the court’s decision:

    “The Court of Appeal’s refusal is obviously disappointing, but I remain in good spirits. I will not be making a decision about my response until I have seen the official letter and the details of the refusal, and I will also need time to discuss the situation with friends, colleagues, supporters and family. In the meantime, while my particular libel case is ongoing, it continues to raise a whole series of arguably more important issues, particularly the appalling state of English libel laws. I am pleased that the Culture Secretary has agreed to meet with signatories of the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign statement to hear how the laws affect writers. We are also pursuing a meeting at the Ministry of Justice and with front benchers in other departments to lobby for a change in the law.”

        Last updated: October 07 2009

    Beware the spinal trap

    Some practitioners claim it is a cure-all, but the research suggests chiropractic therapy has mixed results - and can even be lethal, says Simon Singh.

    You might be surprised to know that the founder of chiropractic therapy, Daniel David Palmer, wrote that '99% of all diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae'. In the 1860s, Palmer began to develop his theory that the spine was involved in almost every illness because the spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. Therefore any misalignment could cause a problem in distant parts of the body