BSG Resources Ltd has said that its legal case against Global Witness, which it accuses of breaching the Data Protection Act, will not impede on the organisation's right to "freedom of speech". 

London-based environmental NGO, Global Witness, has been taken to court by BSG Resources (BSGR) Ltd accused of breaching the 1998 Data Protection Act after a number of press releases sent by the organisation claimed that BSGR used bribery to obtain mining rights in an iron ore reserve in Guinea, West Africa. BSGR denies the allegations.

Simon Taylor, one of the founders of Global Witness has criticised the action. He said: “The case filed by BSGR officials is a threat to freedom of speech, as it risks stripping journalists and NGOs of vital safeguards aimed at protecting sources and reporting freely on matters of public interest.”

However a spokesman for BSGR has said: “Global Witness’s statements wholly misrepresent the case against it.

“The claim filed at the High Court by the four individuals associated with BSGR has been brought under the UK’s Data Protection Act (DPA), which derives from EU legislation that protects individuals' rights to privacy, including the European Convention on Human Rights.

“The claimants have taken this action reluctantly, because they sympathise with Global Witness’s declared aims. They have been forced to take action by Global Witness’s refusal to comply with the DPA and a decision of the UK Information Commissioner.

“The claimants expect only that Global Witness honours its obligations under the DPA.

“There is nothing in the action that will impede Global Witness’s ability to carry out lawful investigations or exercise its right to freedom of speech.”

The four claimants filed Data Protection Act requests with Global Witness in December 2012 and July 2013. When Global Witness did not supply the information one of the claimants filed a complaint with the ICO, and the ICO recommended Global Witness review the request.