The government is dealing out gagging clauses – and stifling the truth | Nick Dearden

From Brexit experts to Grenfell inspectors, non-government organisations are being told not to create 'adverse publicity'

We have a government terrified of public debate. Ministers try to undermine the right to free speech at every turn. Officials seem to have given up altogether on our right to information. Campaign groups set up to champion our rights are cowed by restrictions on their activities.

The latest cut to our democratic rights was uncovered on Wednesday - gagging clauses inserted into contracts worth 25bn, preventing non-government organisations and companies from speaking out or creating "adverse publicity" for the government. These included consultants working on Brexit, experts assessing the safety of cladding on social housing post-Grenfell and prisoner rehabilitation charities working with the home office.

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