British taxpayers are facing a staggering bill of nearly £2.8 million after socialite James Stunt was granted legal aid to fight money laundering charges, despite his history of immense wealth and opulent spending.
The Lavish Lifestyle and the Legal Bill
James Stunt, the 43-year-old former husband of Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone, was cleared of orchestrating a £266 million money laundering operation after two lengthy trials. During his seven-year marriage, he enjoyed a super-rich lifestyle, splurging millions on Old Master paintings, fine wines, gambling, and a fleet of luxury cars.
However, because his assets were frozen and he was later declared bankrupt, Mr Stunt was deemed eligible for taxpayer-funded legal representation. A Freedom of Information request by the Daily Mail has revealed that the direct cost for his lawyers alone reached £2,178,524.66.
A System Under Scrutiny
This legal aid sum is in addition to the estimated over £600,000 cost to the public purse for running and staffing Leeds Crown Court for the 11 months of the trials. As Mr Stunt was acquitted of all criminal charges, the Legal Aid Agency cannot reclaim any of this money from him.
This situation has been branded 'incredible' by senior Tory figures. Sir Ashley Fox, a former solicitor and member of the Commons Justice Committee, stated that while legal aid is critical, it must be awarded fairly. He questioned why the board could not recover costs from Stunt's 'substantial personal fortune'.
The Case and Its Aftermath
The allegations centred on Mr Stunt's gold refining venture with Bradford jewellers Fowler Oldfield. Prosecutors claimed it became a front for laundering up to £30 million in criminal cash, some of which was allegedly delivered to his London office. The scheme involved turning 'dirty' cash into untraceable gold grain sent to Dubai.
Mr Stunt, who was living in a Los Angeles mansion at the time, insisted he had no knowledge the money was illicit. A first trial ended without a verdict, but in March this year, a jury at Leeds Crown Court found him not guilty of money laundering after a majority direction. Four other defendants were convicted.
Following his acquittal, Mr Stunt described enduring 'nine years of hell'. He is now seeking to have the freezing order on his assets lifted, arguing they exceed his debts. His seized collection included artworks insured for £100 million and fine wines valued at around £30 million.
The Ministry of Justice defends the means-tested legal aid system, arguing it ultimately saves money by preventing appeals from unrepresented defendants. A Legal Aid Agency spokeswoman confirmed: 'Defendants who are acquitted do not have to pay back legal costs.'
