North's taxpayers pay for DUP legal challenge

The DUP has been criticised following the news that the North's taxpayers will foot some of the legal costs for the party’s challenge to the re-election of David Trimble to the post of First Minister last year.

The House of Lords in Britain rejected the challenge yesterday.

It was subsequently confirmed that part of the costs will be borne by the North’s Department of Regional Development, headed by DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson.

The Northern Secretary, John Reid, criticised the DUP for using public money to fight party political battles and said the funds would have been better spent on health and education.

SDLP Assembly member Eamon O’Neill called on the DUP to pay all the costs itself.