Thursday 1 April 2010

Simon Singh: vindicated

Simon Singh is a science writer who stated that chiropractors claimed they could cure a range of childhood illnesses, despite a total lack of scientific evidence. They sued him for libel, accusing him of claiming that they knowingly peddled bogus treatments.

Under Britain's crazy libel laws, you can't defend yourself on the basis of truth: stating the truth can still be held to be libellous. Facts = libel, comment = fair enough! The chiropractors were out to bankrupt and silence Singh in the courts rather than debate the science, and the early stages of the trial seemed to go their way.

Until today: the Court of Appeal has dismissed Mr Justice Eady's previous ruling that Singh's statement was 'factual' and therefore not 'fair comment' and found for Singh. Eady has appalling form in allowing every tyrant, shyster and quack from around the world to sue in the British courts - it's time for this farce to end.

But for now - bliss that another bunch of charlatans have been defeated.

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