Di inquest to cost £10 million

The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales will cost taxpayers in the UK an estimated 10 million pounds.

London, Feb 25 : The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales will cost taxpayers in the UK an estimated 10 million pounds.

While Mohamed Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the crash that killed the British royal, is footing his own bill, paying 3 million pounds on lawyers, the pay for the lawyers on the government side is likely to come from the taxpayer.

And since the parties had not agreed on a brief fee, the lead counsel to the coroner, Ian Burnett QC, Richard Horwell QC, for the Metropolitan Police, and Robin Tam QC, for MI6 and the Foreign Office will all be paid on their hourly rate.

Mr Burnett charges 285 pounds hourly while the other three charge 250 pounds hourly.

"Everything about the inquest has been uncertain, so it was felt that an hourly rate was the most sensible option," the Telegraph quoted an insider, as saying.

Mr Fayed is not only paying for his own lawyers led by Michael Mansfield QC, but also for those representing his hotel, The Ritz, who are led by Ian Croxford QC.

Both men are on an hourly rate of 575 pounds.

ANI