Public interest test wins as sting MP sues

The Sunday Times successfully used the defence of responsible journalism on a matter of public interest to fend off a libel claim by former MP Tim Yeo, who had been the subject of a sting. The politician must pay more than £400,000 in costs. Read more

Scottish law ‘back door for libel’ say campaigners

The new “serious harm” test for libel in England and Wales has discouraged frivolous claims, say campaigners: but with the Scottish Parliament refusing to adopt most reforms in the 2013 Defamation Act, Scotland is now being used as a back door for libel action, they say. The Glasgow Herald has complained of a “chilling effect on press freedom”. Read more

Police tweet pics from unlocked homes. Okay?

Coventry police officers tweeted pictures of themselves inside the hallways of homes they had found unlocked, when the owners weren’t there. Social media comments focused on their right to enter homes, but is there a media law issue here? Read more

Monkey ‘does not own copyright on selfie’

A US judge has dismissed an animal charity’s claim that a monkey owns the copyright on a selfie it took, on a camera set up by a wildlife photographer. The charity wanted to be designated as “next friend”, meaning it would get all the royalties. Read more

Sun can’t be done for EastEnders headline

The Sun’s headline over the arrest of the husband of EastEnders actress Sian Blake “certainly created a substantial risk of serious prejudice” in any future trial, said law writer Cleland Thom in Press Gazette. “So will The Sun get away with it? Yes – definitely.” But if the arrest had been in an EU country, it wouldn’t. Find out why here

Council ejects reporter ‘in public interest’

A reporter said he was ejected from a council’s licensing hearing because police said it would not be in the public interest for him to remain while video evidence was shown relating to a crime that was still under investigation. He argued it was in the public interest for him to remain. Read more