BOLTON West MP Julie Hilling has welcomed Labour leader Ed Miliband’s pledge to scrap the Lobbying Act if elected, over fear that it affects free speech.

The Member of Parliament said there was a huge public outcry in her constituency — covering Horwich, Westhoughton, Lostock and Heaton — when the bill was announced.

She said: “The law completely ignores the shady big donors Mr Cameron is backed by and gags charities and grassroots campaigners who want to hold the Government to account for their broken promises at the next election.”