[cashman]

Originally Posted by garinda

'Under means testing, anyone with a monthly disposable income of £283 or more and/or capital assets of more than £30,000 would be asked to contribute towards their defence. None of the three charged defendants are standing at the election and would normally be eligible of “resettlement allowances” of up to £65,000, which is frozen until a verdict is returned. The House of Commons Commission will decide what to do next once that verdict is known.'
'Expenses MPs' Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine get legal aid - Times Online

Ironically, it seems because their resetlement packages, due to 'retirement', have been frozen until after the trial, that this therefore makes them eligible for legal aid.

Outrageous.

I bet if I was allowed to have a good root through their personal effects, I could find evidence of monthly incomes greater than £283. per month, and proof of assets worth more than thirty thousand quid.

Would be very interesting to note, if the packages were unfrozen, would they use the money on these shameful appeals? i doubt it very much meself.