§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds of the trials associated with the police operations codenamed Own Goal, Full-time and Dirty Den in relation to alleged public order offences in connection with football matches in London.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe cost to public funds of an individual trial cannot be precisely quantified. It comprises a number of separate elements borne by different Government Departments. Most of these form part of the ordinary running costs of the Departments concerned. The only amounts which can be precisely identified are those payable to prosecuting counsel and the defence lawyers.
The fees payable to prosecuting counsel have not yet been assessed. Defence costs which are payable out of the legal aid fund are determined by an officer of the Crown court upon receipt of the lawyers' claims for fees. No such claims have yet been received.