British science writer wins appeal in libel case brought by chiropractors

A science writer who was sued by the British Chiropractic Association over a newspaper column has won a legal appeal for the right to argue his remarks constituted fair comment. Simon Singh was sued for libel over a 2008 column in The Guardian suggesting there is a lack of evidence for claims made by some chiropractors about treating childhood conditions including colic and asthma. Last year a judge ruled Singh could not use the fair-comment defense because his statements were presented as fact, not opinion. But the Court of Appeal overturned that decision Thursday. The case has become a rallying point for advocates of changes to Britain's claimant-friendly libel laws, which place the burden of proof on the defendant.