Da News (Read 1531709 times)

This might come as a suprise but I think it's wholly right and proper that they've been granted Legal Aid, what I find wholly wrong is that Labour have introduced means testing for people in a similar position.

tomtom · April 13, 2010, 07:56:15 am

Mp expenses -

THIS IS NEWS...

RYANAIR to start charging £1 to use the loo...

slackline · April 13, 2010, 08:29:59 am

Quote from: Sloper on April 13, 2010, 07:51:42 am

Quote from: slack---line on April 13, 2010, 07:00:41 am
They just don't get it

This might come as a suprise but I think it's wholly right and proper that they've been granted Legal Aid, what I find wholly wrong is that Labour have introduced means testing for people in a similar position.

I don't really have a problem with anyone being granted legal aid, but is it not in place for situations where people genuinely can't afford to carry the cost in the first place? An annual salary of ~£65000 is waaay more than I earn and in this instance its a case they have bought to court themselves.

Sloper · April 13, 2010, 09:09:06 am

Legal Aid used to be available universally for imprisonable offences but Labour introduced means testing which means even if you're on a relatively modest salary you don't get it which is nothing short of a disgrace.

A decent justice system does not allow for the rich to avoid conviction because they can afford the best representation which is exactly what will happen, see the USA for the best examples.

slackline · April 13, 2010, 09:28:51 am

Quote from: Sloper on April 13, 2010, 09:09:06 am

Legal Aid used to be available universally for imprisonable offences but Labour introduced means testing which means even if you're on a relatively modest salary you don't get it which is nothing short of a disgrace.

So these Labour MPs are twisting the (unjust) law that was changed under their leadership further then, since £65000 is more than a modest salary, and therefore shouldn't entitle them to it (or is it that these are not imprisonable offences, in which case how does legal aid pan out for such offences)?

Jaspersharpe · April 13, 2010, 10:13:41 am

Quote

Officials were obliged to accept the MPs’ application “in the interests of justice” because a system of means-testing, which is being rolled out across the country, has not yet been implemented at Southwark Crown Court, where the three are due to stand trial.

Sloper · April 13, 2010, 11:21:18 am

Apparently Gordon Brown has interevened saying that the defendants will have to pay the money back . . . doesn't he know that's a matter for the trial judge and the LSC or is it in his mind that the PM can intervene into judicial matters when the political need arises?