Legal Aid For Expense Scandal Mps "to Be Repaid"

At the heart of the expenses scandal are three MPs who refused to pay back their false claims

, they are now facing court, their initial appeal for parliamentary immunity was refused and now the plan to defend themselves using legal aid at the taxpayers expense. This move was condemned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown who declared they will have to pay back the costs.

The move was an attempt by Brown to be seen to take a harsh stance against expenses fraud in the lead up to the general election, but some legal critics have commented that there is no reason why anyone should not receive legal aid and have it paid for by the state.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw explained that the government had now introduced reforms to enable means-tested legal aid although they were unable to implement them in time for the MP's cases. Brown argued that the law has changed and although these changes will not take affect until June, it is just cause for the MPs to pay back the money.

The MPs have been accused of stealing over 60,000 through false mortgage applications, rent claims and service invoices. But at the expense of the taxpayer, the price of preparing their defence is likely to run into six figures even without the cost of the prosecution. There is further risk of the MPs having the case thrown out the Supreme Court which could send the cost even higher.

The huge cost of these cases has been rumoured to be in the region of 3million and the investigation has so far cost Scotland Yard over 500,000. Trials will begin at Southwark Crown Court in London on May 27th where a spokesman has confirmed that the MPs were granted an application for legal aid, hiring high priced lawyers that cost hundreds of pounds an hour. If found guilty, the MPs could face up to seven years in prison for stealing taxpayers money.

by: Tom Doerr

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