Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, responding to changes to the Lobbying Bill announced today, said:

“This humiliating climbdown only came about because the Government was about to lose a key vote.

“David Cameron’s Lobbying Bill lets vested interests off the hook whilst gagging charities and campaigners in the run up to an election. But this out-of-touch Government has been trying to force it through Parliament regardless.

“Ministers must use this short pause to listen to the wide range of charities and campaigners who are telling them that this sinister Bill could have a chilling effect on our national debate. They need to amend this Bill substantially.“