The Leveson Inquiry has cost the taxpayer almost £4m so far, according to the latest figures.
The cost of inquiry from mid-July 2011 to June 2012 totals £3,903,000, including £1.2m spent in legal fees – according to the latest spending update issued by the inquiry.
These figures do not include money spent by publishers and other inquiry participants on their own legal representation.
Here is a full breakdown of the costs:
- Inquiry Secretariat staff costs: £1,214,700
- Backfill costs for Court of Appeal: £123,000
- Counsel to the inquiry: £1,015,700
- Barristers providing assistance to counsel to the inquiry: £222,400
- Assessors’ remuneration: £126, 700
- Accommodation costs (including hearing room, annex and office accommodation): £200,600
- IT and telecommunications (website, broadcasting and audio-visual links): £464,600
- Office running costs: £15,600
- Seminars: £73,400
- Public hearing costs (including records management & transcription costs): £262, 400
- Core participant and witness costs: £183, 900.
Total: £3,903,000
Lord Justice Leveson is due to report on his findings in November.
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