The coalition argued that the court's ruling would inspire politicians to press spurious charges against their rivals and, somehow, procure criminal convictions too.
In Siberia this year, for example, two metals factories complained that rivals used the law-enforcement authorities to press spurious charges against the factory owners in so-far unsuccessful attempts to take over the businesses.
Will Moy, the founder of Full Fact, set up the fact-checking charity after his time working in parliament, where he saw spurious claims made in press releases and unverified reports taken at their word, and even influencing lawmaking.
He was twice forced to resign on what were essentially spurious grounds cooked up by the press: a nanny's fast-tracked passport (case not proven) and some allegedly undeclared share dealings (ditto).
However, newspapers say it will be abused by the rich and powerful to stifle the press and taken advantage of by lawyers pursuing spurious claims in the knowledge they will still be paid.
Prince William is said to test those who purport to be friends by passing on spurious bits of information; if such items then appear in the press, he forever cuts ties with the loose-lipped offender.
Unfortunately, they are spurious.
Both pretexts are spurious.
