Cost of Charles de Menezes Inquest should not be unfairly imposed on south Londoners - Hughes

5.00.00pm GMT Tue 9th Dec 2008

Simon Hughes today challenged Justice Secretary Jack Straw on the plan to charge the cost of the de Menezes inquest onto the four local London authorities of Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham and Greenwich.

The jury in the inquest is currently considering its verdict. It follows an 11 week trial which heard from 100 witnesses. The inquest is expected to cost in the region of £4million.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Simon Hughes reminded the Justice Secretary that this was a Metropolitan police case of national importance and that alternative funding arrangements should be considered.

Commenting Simon Hughes said: "The death of Jean Charles de Menezes was an event of national and international significance. The fact that it took place in Stockwell was incidental to the fact that an individual was shot dead by Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism officers in a case of mistaken identity. It is not fair that only council taxpayers in Southwark and three other south London boroughs should have to foot the £4million bill in these exceptional circumstances. The cost of this inquest must be shared across London, or by national government coming to our financial aid."