MP'S OUTRAGED OVER LEGAL AID FOR BOMB SUSPECTS
MPs outraged over Legal Aid for the Omagh bomb suspects
ULSTER Unionist Chief Whip Roy Beggs has shown his outrage at present legal aid regulations after the disclosure that two men suspected of involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb attack - Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell - are to be granted legal aid.
Mr Beggs has asked the Leader of the House of Commons to arrange a debate on the situation and the East Antrim MP has tabled an Early Day Motion on this issue which in only two days has attracted a total of 41 signatures from Members across all parties in Parliament.
Speaking at Business Questions, Mr Beggs stated to Robin Cook that it was outrageous if according to a Daily Mail newspaper article, both McKevitt and Campbell were going to be granted legal aid paid for by the British taxpayer, as both "had become wealthy men through terrorist crime".
Responding to Mr Beggs' concerns, Mr Cook said he fully understood the points raised.
"I think all honourable members will agree that, as a matter of principle, anyone who is brought before our courts and charged with a serious offence, such as murder should be defended," Mr Cook said.
But he added: "If the Daily Mail or anyone else has evidence that they may not have made a full declaration of their assets to the Legal Aid Board, I urge them to share that with the police and the Legal Aid Board."
ULSTER Unionist Chief Whip Roy Beggs has shown his outrage at present legal aid regulations after the disclosure that two men suspected of involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb attack - Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell - are to be granted legal aid.
Mr Beggs has asked the Leader of the House of Commons to arrange a debate on the situation and the East Antrim MP has tabled an Early Day Motion on this issue which in only two days has attracted a total of 41 signatures from Members across all parties in Parliament.
Speaking at Business Questions, Mr Beggs stated to Robin Cook that it was outrageous if according to a Daily Mail newspaper article, both McKevitt and Campbell were going to be granted legal aid paid for by the British taxpayer, as both "had become wealthy men through terrorist crime".
Responding to Mr Beggs' concerns, Mr Cook said he fully understood the points raised.
"I think all honourable members will agree that, as a matter of principle, anyone who is brought before our courts and charged with a serious offence, such as murder should be defended," Mr Cook said.
But he added: "If the Daily Mail or anyone else has evidence that they may not have made a full declaration of their assets to the Legal Aid Board, I urge them to share that with the police and the Legal Aid Board."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1537
Published Date: 30-Jan-03
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