Bill for celebrities free legal advice services revealed

The bill that the taxpayer has to cover for celebrities using free legal advice services has been revealed.

One celebrity who received legal aid was Steven Gerrard, who got £311,000 following his acquittal for charges of affray.

A spokesperson for Gerrard said: "Steven's lawyers applied for the reimbursement of a percentage of costs, which were immediately granted by the judge at the end of the trial."

The spokesperson added that Gerrard's lawyers worked in his interests in the same way that they would for other clients in the same circumstances, and said that they stuck to regulations and rules.

In addition, Amy Winehouse had £68,000 paid back to her after it was ruled that she was not guilty of striking a burlesque dancer while at a ball.

This is despite her being a millionaire as a result of her career releasing songs like Back To Black and Rehab.

However, justice secretary Ken Clarke is due to present changes to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, so that taxpayer money will only cover "reasonable costs".

Published by Hannah Carr