LEGAL AID AND Mr EL HADJI DIOUF

Early day motion 223, tabled 25 May 2005 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House deplores the decision by the Legal Services Commission to grant legal aid to the Liverpool footballer Mr El Hadji Diouf, who is defending a charge of disorderly conduct involving spitting at a football fan; notes the justification by the Legal Services Commission that Mr El Hadji Diouf requires an interpreter and that his livelihood could be at risk; but does not believe that a professional footballer, or anybody else, earning a reported £40,000 per week should be granted legal aid when many other people are deprived of legal aid because their income or savings exceed the very low threshold.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 3, Conservative 1.