ABSTRACT
More case law further illustrates the meaning of Article IX and the role of the courts in relation to matters of privilege. In Rost v Edwards (1990), a Member of Parliament sued The Guardian newspaper for alleged libel.27 The Guardian article had stated that the member, who was a member of the Energy Select Committee and a nominee for selection to the standing committee, considering an Energy Bill, had not registered his interests – as a consultant with two organisations concerned with energy. Subsequent to publication of the article, the member was informed that he was no longer being considered for membership of the standing committee and, further, that he had not been given the chair of the Energy Select Committee. The member instituted libel proceedings, which were adjourned by the court in order to determine the issue of parliamentary privilege. The member wished to adduce evidence before the court which comprised correspondence between himself and a clerk of the House and the Register of Members’ Interests.
