John Baron MP: £200,000 Dale Farm legal aid cost highlights need to progress site clearance

MP obtains Government figures after tabling Parliamentary questions  

 Today John Baron MP published recently received answers to his questions to the Department of Justice, which show that the total legal aid bill for the travellers at the illegal Dale Farm site is nearly £200,000 since 2005 – the Department does not have the figures going back to 2001. This amount relates only to advice and representation associated with the development of Dale Farm, and does not include legal aid that could have been provided in other categories of law (e.g. crime and family legal aid).

 John said,

 “Too much taxpayers’ money has already been spent on travellers who have illegally developed this site. We must be one of the few countries in the world throwing public money at supporting individuals flouting the law. This site clearance should now proceed without further delay and cost to the public purse.”

“The travellers’ attitude towards the law smacks of double standards: on the one hand, they are using the law to delay matters and add to costs; whilst on the other hand, claim they will resist the site clearance – which is in itself unlawful. It’s now time to end this nonsense.”

 “People talk of human rights. Too often in this country we forget the majority also have their human rights which includes the law being fairly and equitably applied to everyone – without exception. Otherwise, the rule of law is being undermined.”

Notes to editors:

1. For further details on John’s thoughts on Dale Farm, please click here: http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2011/09/27/comment-dale-farm-has-nothing-to-do-with-abus 
2. The individual annual breakdown of legal aid is as follows:

2005/6: £3,115

2006/7: £19,567

2007/8: £16,524

2008/9: £38,761

2009/10: £94,744 (includes £1,500 inter-partes costs)

2010/11: £15,638