Deborah Cooper

Dear Sir/Madam We refer to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths (“Report”) dated 26 February 2024 (received 28 February 2024). The Report references two books available on Amazon.co.uk:

(together, the “Books” and each a “Book”). We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. We have carefully considered the contents of the Report. As a bookseller, we believe that providing access to written speech and a variety of viewpoints is important, including books that some may find objectionable. We have content guidelines governing which books can be listed for sale and promptly investigate when a concern is raised. We have reviewed each Book against our content guidelines, taking account of your comments, and have decided not to remove either of them from sale. We recognise that there are heavily debated titles in our store and different views on where to draw the line protecting freedom of expression. We carefully consider the types of content we make available and think broad guidelines to protect freedom of expression, including controversial content, serve readers better than censorship. We strive to offer a broad selection for customers, even if we don't agree with the message or sentiment of the book itself. At the same time, we are committed to taking measures not to surprise customers with potentially controversial or sensitive content. We display a banner on the product detail page of titles like those

referenced in the Report, which presents customers with information on how to access free and confidential advice from the Samaritans.

Dear Mr Ridley,

I would like to begin by expressing my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deborah Jane Cooper following her death and the circumstances that surrounded it. I recognise the gravity of the concerns raised in your Report and I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to this Report to Prevent Future Deaths. As we are in a pre-election period, I apologise that I cannot comment on or commit to further actions to prevent future deaths as these will be for the new Government.

The Department for Business and Trade is, inter alia, responsible for consumer protection law, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (“CPRs”), which is shortly to be updated by Part 4, Chapter 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act). The DMCC Act received Royal Assent in May 2024.

There is limited scope to address the issues raised in your Report through existing consumer protection legislation. For example, while the scope of the protection offered to consumers by the unfair trading legislation (referred to above) is broad, its focus is primarily to protect consumer’s economic interests. This legislation does not impose a blanket ban on the sale of the particular products in issue.

However, there is legislation, which falls outside of the scope of my Department’s responsibilities, which is more directly relevant including section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 (as amended), which makes it an offence for a person to commit an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, with the intention that their act will encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. It is a matter for the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to consider and, where appropriate, pursue prosecutions.

In addition, the new Online Safety Act requires all in-scope services, including in-scope marketplaces, to rapidly remove regulated content, including suicide content, where they have reasonable grounds to consider that it crosses the criminal threshold. I understand that

a letter has been issued in response to your Report from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) regarding the scope of the Online Safety Act in relation to these issues. Ofcom is the independent regulator for the Online Safety Act and is working with the DSIT to implement the Act which received Royal Assent in October.