https://freespeechunion.org/news/government-poised-to-back-bill-outlawing-slapps-used-to-silence Andy Burnham is set to back a Private Member's Bill, put forward by a senior Conservative MP and former Culture Secretary, to ban whistleblower gagging orders, known as SLAPPs. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are aggressive legal claims which have been used by powerful individuals and corporations to intimidate and silence critics — namely journalists and whistleblowers. The Free Speech Union has long campaigned for legislation to end this sinister tool of censorship, which has been used to silence critical figures wishing to expose the secrets of powerful individuals or organisations in matters of public interest.