Shame on @spectator for uncritically publishing this dishonest guff about legal aid, full of the usual canards and lies that have been conclusively debunked. [THREAD]
@RossjournoClark has been hawking this same column around for years. It wasn’t true when he started, it’s not true now. I even take the time to deal comprehensively with these claims in my book, which I reproduce here for free.
Firstly, the “most expensive legal aid system” lie:
Firstly, the “most expensive legal aid system” lie:
(continued - the myth of “most expensive legal aid system in the world”). TLDR: The comparator legal systems are completely different. It’s comparing oranges with meerkats.
Here I deal with that old favourite, fat cat legal aid lawyers:
...and a little more here. I’d ask @RossjournoClark for the evidence for this claim (highlighted).
Clark also disingenuously fails to mention that, irrespective of the original stated intent of the legal aid cuts, the government went much, much further. As this recent Guardian editorial summarises.
For a clearer, more honest picture of the impact of the cuts, see the Guardian’s excellent series, by @owenbowcott and @byameliahill, on the real-life devastation caused. Here are just some of the case studies: theguardian.com/law/2018/dec/2…
