Opposition to keep up legal fees fight over crime Bill

Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers have refused to drop pressure for a change in the Proceeds of Crime Bill that would unfreeze suspect funds to pay legal fees.

Responding to amendment at committee stage, the Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith QC, said the government had chosen the option that would see defendants either pay legal fees from non-frozen assets or receive public funding.

To ally fears, he said that, in relation to legal aid, the standard means test would be 'relaxed to the extent necessary to ensure that everyone has access to legal funding who needs it and who qualifies financially'.

For the Conservatives, Baroness Buscombe said it remained 'a matter of some considerable concern' and said she may raise it once more at the report stage.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Lord Goodhart indicated that he would support such a move.

Neil Rose