Town MP ‘proud of firm’s legal aid work’
HELEN Grant says she is proud to have helped victims of domestic violence, after it emerged that her law firm received more than £200,000 in legal aid in the six months after she was promoted to the Ministry of Justice.
According to the ministry’s annual report,
total payments in 2012-13 to Grant Solici- tors LLP, which she co-owns with husband Simon, were £384,018, of which £219,751 were made on or after September 4, 2012 – the date she was made Justice Minister. When the MP for Maidstone and The
Weald was promoted to a junior minister, the legal aid portfolio was passed to another minister.However, she has continued to an- swer written questions on taxpayer-funded legal aid in parliament and her portfolio still includes law reform, legal services, civil law and the courts. Last year she launched an equality advi- sory service for people seeking to start a
legal aid claim for discrimination. Mrs Grant claims not to receive an income
from her company, but opponents say that as its co-owner she stands to benefit in the future. Mrs Grant said: “I have been completely
open and transparent about my interests in the legal firm of Grants Solicitors LLP and have complied fully with the ministerial code. I am extremely proud of the vital work Grants Solicitors carries out under the legal aid scheme. “For 17 years my team and I have helped thousands of women and children, and somemen, escape abusive and violent rela- tionships, including some of the most vul- nerable and needy in our society. “One in four women in our country suffer domestic violence at some time in their lives, and two women die here every week at the hand of their partner or former part- ner.
“I am often told that people want their politicians to be in touch with ‘real life’ and I am proud to serve as a minister with ex- perience of justice, women and equality is- sues well beyond the walls ofWestminster. After 23 years as a lawyer, a business owner and an employer, I believe my role in Gov- ernment is informed.” Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Jasper Gerard said: “Mrs Grant’s department con- firms that she is still an equity partner. Even if she is not receiving a wage from the firm, will the value of her shares increase as a re- sult of these windfalls? We also need to be told if Mr Grant is drawing a salary or a div- idend from the firm. “The people of this constituency are enti-
tled to answers.” Shadow Justice Minister Andy Slaughter
has also written to the Ministry of Justice demanding answers to a number of ques- tions regarding the MP’s role.
Fatal crash a
Cobtree YFC - From left Lauren Hall, 12, Sam Heath, 18, and Hannah Connelly, 12, with Texel cross sheep, and right, Andy Nunn with ferret
Princess Kara
Kent Show a real scorcher
MORE than twice as many people visited the Kent County Show this year compared with last year as blazing sunandscorching temperaturesmade2012’s soggy showa distant memory. A total of 75,000 peo- ple enjoyed animal shows, tasted Kentish food and drink, browsed craft stalls and admired farmmachin- ery at the annual agricultural showin Detling. Cobtree Young Farmers Club, based at Kent Life,
has been showing animals at the Kent County Show for15years. This year the26membersbrought cows, pigs and sheep to Detling. Harrietsham Ferret Rescue introduced visitors to
the furry creatures, who took part in races and com- pleted obstacle courses. Volunteer Andy Nunn said: “Some people think ferrets smell or that they bite but they are very friendly and make great pets.” Other activitiesonoffer included camel racing cour-
tesy of Joseph’s Amazing Camels, displays by dogs, horses, ducks and other animals, sheep shows, afair- ground, craft stalls and demonstrations.
A Highland bull from ChestnutWood Farm, Detling, is paraded in the main ring
tragic accident A YOUNG driver who had just passed her test died along with her Lenham boyfriend when the car she was driving left the road, an inquest heard. Amy Clark (17) might have swerved to miss an animal on the A20 Maidstone Road at Charing, police said. The Ford Fiesta veered left
while going round a right hand bend,wentdownabankand hit a tree on December 29 last year. Amy, from Willesbor- ough,Ashford,who had passed her test just nine days earlier, died from multiple injuries. A passer-by called 999 but
the engineering student was al- ready dead by the time emer- gency services arrived. Her boyfriend, 20-year old Rob Wiltshire, a former pupil at Swadelands School who had just qualified as an electrical engineer, from Payden Street, Maidstone, was unconscious and later also died from his in- juries, at the scene. In evidence, PC David Kirk
said no faults were found with the car. Both Amy and Rob had been wearing seatbelts and there was no suggestion she had been speeding. Deputy assistant coroner Rachel Redman recorded a ver- dict of accidental death on both victims and said: “This is a tragic accidental death."
Football hours A PLANNING application to extend Sunday playing hours at the football pitches in Honey Lane, Otham, has been refused. A condition dating back to
The pony club show in the main arena, and left, Joseph’s Amazing Camels
16 East Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
1994 restricts use to 10am to 2pm, but Albert McNaughton requested that the facility is used until 5pm. Maidstone Council’s decision notice said: “The additional hours of use on Sunday after- noons would lead to a signifi- cant increase in noise and disturbance to local residents,”
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