So far there has been no expression of interest from England or Scotland in following the international lead set in a tiny town in rural mid-Wales by a charity that does not have a phone line and makes all its calls on Skype.

BBC: Charity reaches rainforest goal

Last March, following accusations by independent bloggers in Japan and Germany, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued an Expression of Concern about five papers published in AHA journals co-authored by the chief investigator of the Kyoto Heart Study, Hiroaki Matsubara, who was a prominent cardiologist and researcher at Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan.

FORBES: Two Retractions For Embattled Chief Investigator Of Kyoto Heart Study

The bill was presented by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke in March, following concerns that existing libel laws were damaging freedom of expression in scientific and academic debate.

BBC: Draft Defamation Bill: Private Eye's Ian Hislop