The by-election was called after Huhne resigned as an MP following his admission he had perverted the course of justice over the driving licence points.

BBC: Lib Dems gather for spring conference amid controversy

Libel laws protect people from defamation, privacy laws protect them from having their innermost secrets broadcast willy-nilly, and laws of contempt protect courts and defendants alike from having their search for justice perverted by irresponsible disclosure during a case.

ECONOMIST: Muzzled in Malaysia