Published 5 August 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3166
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3166

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Science writer is refused permission to appeal against libel ruling over comments on chiropractors

¹ London

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The science broadcaster and writer Simon Singh has been refused permission to appeal against a ruling in the libel case brought against him by the British Chiropractic Association. His case has aroused the anger of many in the science community, who describe the libel laws as encouraging the law courts to silence critics.

The ruling, made in May by Mr Justice Eady, said that an article by Dr Singh for the Guardian newspaper, published on 19 April 2008, was defamatory and alleged that the association was happy to promote bogus treatments (BMJ 2009;338:b2127, 26 May, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2127).

In the article (which has been removed from the Guardian’s website) Dr Singh criticised the British Chiropractic Association for claiming that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolonged crying. He described the treatments as "bogus," saying that . . . [Full text of this article]

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