Remember last March when Prime Minister Stephen Harper filed a $2.5 million libel suit against the Liberals over statements published on the party's website alleging the Tories offered a bribe to the late Independent MP Chuck Cadman?

Today the Liberal Party filed a Statement of Defence in the case arguing that Harper's claim constitutes "a fundamental attack on freedom of political expression."

The Liberal Party states the comments were "fair" and "made in good faith and without malice on matters of public interest."

The party denies that Harper has suffered any damages, and describes the $2.5 M claim as "excessive." The party contends that if the Prime Minister suffered any damages it was from Harper's own actions, by failing to explain his own words as recorded on audio tape by a journalist the day the Tories met with Cadman.

The Statement of Defence concludes by arguing the purpose of Harper's claim is to stifle public debate and limit the opposition from fulfilling its duty in investigating and communicating the matter.

The party is asking that the lawsuit be dismissed with costs.