So now MPs get legal aid to defend themselves

[sussexjob]

How low can they go, fat rip-off merchants and now we pay to defend them

[DSM2]

sussexjob said:

How low can they go, fat rip-off merchants and now we pay to defend them

Well, they couldn't put it on their expenses any more, could they?

[eps]

WTF!?!

Front page of the Metro (online at least) today.

<grrrrrrrrrrrrr!>

ETA :

Plus they'll probably stand down and get a nice big cheque for doing so...

They should have been told that if they fought this, that they wouldn't
get a golden parachute.

[Sticks.]

DSM2 said:

sussexjob said:

How low can they go, fat rip-off merchants and now we pay to defend them

Well, they couldn't put it on their expenses any more, could they?

Bet they considered it. What's astounding is a) they could be entitled, when so many ordinary people aren't and b) they thought no one would mind/notice. Stunning.

[jshell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_20...

But Chancellor Alistair Darling told Sky News he was "puzzled" by the award of legal aid to the MPs, and acknowledged the public would be "hopping mad" over the decision.

Conservative leader David Cameron said granting legal aid to the MPs was a "complete outrage" and promised to review the system.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said the news was a "slap in the face for every decent taxpayer in this country".

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said people would be "dismayed" that taxpayers' money was being used to defend these allegations.

Just simply unbelievable.

[eps]

and Gordo...

"When asked after a visit to a Cheshire car plant whether MPs facing expenses charges should get legal aid, Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not answer. "

duh! The television debates will be interesting...

[Oakey]

eps said:

and Gordo...

"When asked after a visit to a Cheshire car plant whether MPs facing expenses charges should get legal aid, Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not answer. "

duh! The television debates will be interesting...

Typical Gordon, unable to answer a question. Brilliant.

[loltolhurst]

i thought everyone who goes to crown court is entitled to legal aid? mind u it will mean they have ste lawyers

[Pupp]

So, you've all assumed they are guilty then notwithstanding the case is yet to be tried? Maybe a good job legal aid is available in those circumstances...


...and, no, I'm not defending fraud or dishonesty before the flaming begins

[BliarOut]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Didn't the Home Secretary step in in the Jamie Bulger case? I see no reason why Jack Straw couldn't make an exception here "in the public interest".

[Halb]

Any PHers gona go over to the fb Labour pages and have some fun?

[eps]

Pupp said:

So, you've all assumed they are guilty then notwithstanding the case is yet to be tried? Maybe a good job legal aid is available in those circumstances...


...and, no, I'm not defending fraud or dishonesty before the flaming begins

No. We all assumed that legal aid was there to allow those who could not afford legal representation a fair trial and chance to get themselves represented. None of them are unable to pay for their own legal costs.

It's stupidity on top of stupidity and sheer incomprehension on their part of their own wrong doing, compounded further by these actions.

[jshell]

Pupp said:

So, you've all assumed they are guilty then notwithstanding the case is yet to be tried? Maybe a good job legal aid is available in those circumstances...


...and, no, I'm not defending fraud or dishonesty before the flaming begins

We don't have to, the investigators did, so did the party leaders. They are scum.

[BruceV8]

I noticed that the BBC was referring to them as 'former MPs'. Is this because Parliament has been dissolved? They don't describe anyone else as 'former'. Am I just being overly suspicious in thinking its a BBC attempt to distance them from the government and soften the electoral blow?

Was I always this cynical?

[XMG5]

loltolhurst said:

i thought everyone who goes to crown court is entitled to legal aid? mind u it will mean they have ste lawyers

On Sky News this morning it was reported that the three have already employed the best Solicitors/Barristers to defend them; they are already building a case to have all charges thrown out on the basis of Parliamentary Privilage.

My piss hasn't stopped boiling all morning.

[HiRich]

Pupp said:

So, you've all assumed they are guilty then notwithstanding the case is yet to be tried? Maybe a good job legal aid is available in those circumstances...


...and, no, I'm not defending fraud or dishonesty before the flaming begins

Fair point. Although in two of the cases, the evidence already seen is pretty damning and difficult to dismiss.

[JMGS4]

NuLiarbor are now stating that they'll have to pay any legal assistance back... Probably as much truth in that as in MPs expense sheets

[fadeaway]

JMGS4 said:

NuLiarbor are now stating that they'll have to pay any legal assistance back... Probably as much truth in that as in MPs expense sheets

Yip. Brown said they would have to repay it... while kinda admitting that he had no power to enforce this or make them do it.

[CooperD]

The more I see stories like this, the less I'm inclined to vote. I'm already pissed off with this election coverage and this is yet another reason to say fk it. They are all the same as each other. They should rename the House of Commons, The House of fraudsters, conmen and shysters.

[Pupp]

eps said:

None of them are unable to pay for their own legal costs.

Well, given criminal legal aid is means tested, that's self-evidently not the case...