§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Solicitor-General what was the cost to the public purse, through Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office and central funds, of the Roger Levitt case; and what was the amount paid to the counsel for the prosecution and the counsel for the defence. [99329]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe estimated prosecution costs associated with the trial were £993,815. including £449,649.32 (including VAT) paid to counsel for the prosecution. In addition, the estimated prosecution costs of investigation amounted to £819,552. The defence costs from legal aid were £2,649,495 and defence costs from central funds were £10,699. I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly with a more detailed breakdown of the defence costs.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will ask the Bar Council to publish the findings and the reasons for the findings of the disciplinary hearing held by the Bar Council into the handling of the Roger Levitt case. [99330]
The Solicitor-GeneralI am informed by the Bar Council that no charges of professional misconduct arising from the handling of the Roger Levitt case have been upheld. The Bar Council's disciplinary regulations do not provide for publication of any charge against a barrister, or the finding, where the charge has not been proved, unless the barrister charged so requests. It would be inappropriate for me to ask the Bar Council to depart from the regulations which apply.