UK taxpayers may foot bill for Northern Rock sale: Lib Dems

UK Taxpayers may be forced to foot the bill for lawyers, bankers and accountants’ fees relating to efforts to sell off Northern Rock, which have already run into more than £30m (€41m), Liberal Democrats warned today.

Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said that there was an assumption that part of the cash would be paid back by the successful bidder for the ailing bank, but he warned it was by no means clear that this was guaranteed.