Legal threats against the Southern Daily Echo have been criticised in parliament by an MP who called for more protections for local newspapers.

It comes after an Echo reporter wrote to an organisation for their right of reply ahead of a story being published instead sparked a baseless threat to sue this newspaper.

The Echo published the story having received the letter - known as a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation) - knowing the story was in the public interest.

Today Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur raised the issue in the House of Commons, and said: "Local newspapers, like the Southern Daily Echo, play a crucial role in informing and championing our local communities.

"They also play an important role in holding to account businesses, public bodies and yes, of course, politicians.

"However, in places like Southampton, journalists are increasingly being subject to legal threats and intimidation, particularly through SLAPP action often used by big business.

"Does the Leader of the House agree with me that free press is a fundamental pillar of our democracy?

"And does she support my calls for more being done to support our local media against intimidation and techniques like SLAPPS?"

For several years solicitors have been warned not to engage in sending SLAPPs. The Solicitors Regulation Authority warns firms not to do so.

Responding to Ms Kaur, the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, said: " I absolutely agree with her that journalism and a free press is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, and indeed that local journalism in an age of mis- and disinformation is an absolutely vital trusted source of fact and of truth, and indeed, we’ve seen the local press take play a very important role, particularly over the summer in the face of the riots and some of the misinformation that was spreading at that time.

"And she’s absolutely right to raise the issue of SLAPPs and the consequences this can have on local newspapers like those in her constituency of Southampton."

She added: "I'm sure it will be an issue that will crop up time and time again."

Echo Editor Ben Fishwick said: "Unwarranted legal threats only make journalists at the Daily Echo more determined to get to the truth in carrying out our reporting in the public interest."