MICHAEL STEDMAN, Mercury
TAXPAYERS will continue to pay for Police Commissioner Jack Johnston’s legal costs if the case goes to the High Court.
Justice Peter Evans put a permanent stay on proceedings against Mr Johnston last month, ruling the case was doomed to fail.
Legal and government sources yesterday estimated an appeal to the High Court would cost the state up to $500,000.
That is on top of Mr Johnston’s $200,000 salary, which he has received since standing down in August last year amid allegations he disclosed details of a police investigation to then-premier Paul Lennon.
It was confirmed by Solicitor-General Leigh Sealy yesterday that Mr Johnston’s indemnity against legal costs under the State Service Act would remain in place in the event of an appeal.
That means the state will pay for a proportion of Mr Johnston’s costly legal team, which includes high-profile lawyers Peter Tree, SC, and Roland Browne.
Neither Premier David Bartlett nor Attorney-General Lara Giddings would comment yesterday.
