§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report on why it was necessary for the Hertfordshire police to hire Mr. Richard Rampton QC in relation to the Gillian Taylforth libel action againstThe Sun newspaper; who would have paid for this if she had won her case and been awarded costs; and what amount the police agreed to pay for (i) the Queen's counsel, (ii) junior counsel, (iii) solicitors and (iv) in total.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI understand that the Hertfordshire constabulary was not represented in the case in question. I am informed by the Commissioner that the1012W Metropolitan police was represented by Mr. Richard Rampton QC, because the Metropolitan police has been joined in the proceedings as a third party by The Sun newspaper. Had the plaintiffs' claim succeeded, liability for third party's costs would have fallen to be decided at that point. The Metropolitan police's legal costs have yet to be calculated.