MP calls for probe into the ‘bad use’ of legal aid
MP SIMON Danczuk pressed the Government to look into the ‘bad use’ of legal aid.
He was speaking after an investigation was launched into the law firm representing members of a notorious Rochdale grooming ring fighting deportation by a legal watchdog.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has begun a probe into Nottinghambased Burton & Burton after Britain’s most senior immigration judge Mr Justice Bernard McCloskey accused lawyers from the firm of ‘weakening the rule of law’ during last month’s immigration tribunal.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Danczuk asked the Minister for Court and Justice Sir Oliver Heald: “What proportion of legal aid is allocated to cases of foreign nationals convicted in the UK who are appealing against deportation?”
The Minister replied: “It is not possible to isolate cases of that type using the data recorded by the Legal Aid Agency”.
Commenting on the Minister’s response, Mr Danczuk said: “The Minister couldn’t answer a simple question. I find it remarkable that the Government doesn’t have a clue about the amount of money it spends on legal aid”.”
And discussing the investigation into Burton and Burton, Mr Danczuk said that Justice McCloskey had condemned them for ‘gaming the system’ for their own advantage and asked: “What steps is the Minister taking to look at the bad use of legal aid?”
The Minister replied: “The Legal Aid Agency does investigate cases that are brought to its attention, and there have been recent examples where contracts have ●●Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk quizzed the government on the use of legal aid after grooming gang members Shabir Ahmed, Adil Khan, Abdul Aziz and Qari Abdul Rauf appealed against a move to strip them of their British citizenship been removed.
“It is also important to make the point that, even where there is the possibility of legal aid and representation for foreign national offenders, it is limited to cases involving the refugee convention.”
Four members of the abuse gang – Shabir Ahmed, Adil Khan, Abdul Rauf and Abdul Aziz – lost their legal challenge to remain UK citizens in February and could now face deportation to Pakistan.
Burton & Burton were contacted for comment.