The Independent is reporting that Nigel Evans, a British MP recently cleared of sexual assault charges, has said he regretted previously supporting cuts to legal aid.
He said he was stunned to learn he would have to pay his legal fees even if he was acquitted plus value added tax.
Tough new rules on the amount of cash acquitted defendants could claim back were passed in 2011 as the Ministry of Justice sought to trim the legal aid budget.
Bill Waddington, the chairman of the Criminal Law Solicitors' Association, said: "It is interesting it takes something like this for MPs to realise that only two years ago they actually voted for this change against vociferous opposition from the legal community."
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 15 2014, @08:50PM
Why do I post here? I guess it was the weather, or the, I don't know that thing, that strolling.