BNP

[1]EHRC_Uk_url_CMYK

SENT BY EMAIL

Mr M. Sykes

Email Address: [[FOI #46670 email]]

Our Ref: FOI394

17^th September 2010

Subject: Freedom of Information Request

Dear Mr. Sykes

Thank you for your e-mails dated and received 10^th September 2010 &
14^th September 2010 to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in
which you make a Freedom of Information request which states:-

"What has been the cost of Counsel EHRC vs BNP to date September 2010?"

Under FOI statutory guidelines we have 5 working days to acknowledge a
request from the date of receipt.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we will respond to
you as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days following the
date of receipt of the request. In this instance a response will be with
you by the 12^th October 2010.

If for any reason we are not able to meet this deadline, we will notify
you as soon as possible and give you an indication of when we will send
you a full response.

If you have any queries please contact us using the details below.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Cook

Corporate Communications Officer

Equality and Human Rights Commission

3rd Floor

Lancaster House

67 Newhall Street

Birmingham

B3 1NA

Email: [2][Equality and Human Rights Commission request email]

Tel: 0845 604 6610

Fax: 0121 234 7312

Text Phone: 0845 604 6620

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[1]EHRC_Uk_url_CMYK

SENT BY EMAIL

Mr. M. Sykes

Email Address: [[FOI #46670 email]]

Our Ref: FOI394

12^th October 2010

Subject: Freedom of Information Request

Dear Mr. Sykes

Thank you for your e-mails dated and received 10^th September 2010 &
14^th September 2010 to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in
which you make a Freedom of Information request which states:-

"What has been the cost of Counsel EHRC vs. BNP to date September 2010?"

Our Response:

The EHRC total cost of Council acting against the BNP since the EHRC
commenced in October 2007 to 1^st September 2010 is split into two
parts Pre March 2010 and Post March 2010.

Pre March 2010:

EHRC action taken against the BNP will not cost the tax payer anything, up
to 12^th March 2010. This is because the BNP was ordered, pursuant to a
Court Order to pay all the costs incurred by the EHRC in taking the
action. The BNP is therefore liable for the full cost of the action, not
EHRC.

Post March 2010:

For costs, incurred post March 2010, the Commission is in the process of
seeking a further costs order that would make the BNP liable for these
court costs as well, thereby relieving the tax payer of having to bear
these costs. However an order in respect of these costs will not be made
until the conclusion of the matter before the Courts. Therefore, we
release this information:

Answer: Cost of Counsel EHRC vs. BNP since 12 March 2010 to 1^st September
2010 is £16338.39.

If you are unhappy with our response and wish to request an internal
review, please write to the Corporate Communications Centre at the address
below.

During the internal review the handling of your information request will
be reassessed afresh.

If following the review you are still not content with our response you
may apply directly to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at:

The Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF.

Generally the ICO cannot provide a decision until you have exhausted the
internal review process within the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

If the Commission can be of any further assistance please contact us on
the details below.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Cook

Corporate Communications Officer.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

3rd Floor
Lancaster House
67 Newhall Street
B3 1NA
Email: [2][Equality and Human Rights Commission request email]
Tel: 0845 604 6610
Fax: 0121 234 7312
Text Phone: 0845 604 6620

show quoted sections