COST OF LIBEL ACTIONS

Early day motion 639, tabled 13 January 1998 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes with concern that the cost to the taxpayer of the 13 day libel case brought by Mr Jonathan Aitken was ú12,623.54p, a sum which excludes ú150 paid by Mr Aitken in court fees; considers that public funds should not carry any part of the cost of a libel action which is then discontinued by the plaintiff; and calls on the Government to end the practice of public money being used to subsidise wealthy litigants.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Labour/Co-operative 1.