Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc1)

SCHEDULE 8 Conduct of local government members: investigations by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22)

5 For section 74 (law of defamation) substitute—

“Law of defamation

74 Law of defamation: absolute privilege

For the purposes of the law of defamation a publication of a matter is absolutely privileged if—

(a) the publication is made in the exercise of the functions of the Ombudsman under Chapters 3 and 4 of this Part;

(b) the publication—

(i) is made in communications with the Ombudsman or a person exercising a function of the Ombudsman, and

(ii) is made for the purposes of, or in connection with, the Ombudsman’s functions under Chapters 3 and 4 of this Part.”