#SinghBCA: British Chiropractic Association drops libel case against Simon Singh

Breaking news: The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has dropped its libel case against science writer Simon Singh.

From the Ely Place Chambers site:

The BCA today served a Notice of Discontinuance bringing to an end its ill-fated libel claim against Dr Simon Singh arising out of criticisms he made of its promotion of treatments for childhood ailments.

Dr Singh’s predicament as the sole defendant in an action brought in respect of a comment piece in the Guardian newspaper (to which the BCA  never directed any complaint) was seen as a rallying point for those concerned about the abuse of UK libel laws in connection with scientific debate.

Interest intensified when Eady J ruled that his words were not comment and that in order to defend himself he would have to prove the objective truth of what he wrote.

Earlier this month the Court of Appeal overturned that ruling and this has lead the BCA to abandon its claim.

2 thoughts on “#SinghBCA: British Chiropractic Association drops libel case against Simon Singh

  1. Tom Ash

    What does this mean for Simon’s legal costs? Are the BCA required (or – dare I ask – willing) to repay the £200,000 he’s had to spend? And if not, what happens now… would he have to sue them for the money?

  2. Pingback: BCA Drops Simon Singh Libel Claim…Can back massage cure a pain in the wallet? « Melon Farmers Blog

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