Council to appeal Vance Miller ruling

Jessica Beckett

February 24, 2010

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Vance Miller

Oldham Council is appealing a judge's ruling that they must pay the defendants' costs in the failed Vance Miller trial.

The local authority has now hired Jeremy Morgan QC - an eminent lawyer in the field of costs appeals – to represent them.

Charlie Parker, Chief Executive, said: "We don’t believe that the local council taxpayer should foot the bill for this case.

"We are extremely disappointed by the judge’s ruling on this matter and will be putting forward a very robust appeal through Jeremy Morgan QC.

"There has been a lot of idle speculation and rumour about costs.

"Residents should be reassured that Oldham Council has insurance cover and will in any case defend itself rigorously against any claim for costs, compensation or damages."

The 13-week trial was dismissed in January after Judge Jonathon Foster QC ruled that Oldham Council – who brought the prosecution - had 'abused the process of court.'

Miller, 44, was cleared of conspiracy to defraud alongside his co-defendants Nichola Brodie, 33, Sadiya Hussain, 29, and Alan Ford, 45.

A decision on how much the council will have to pay for the botched legal case will be announced at a court hearing in about four weeks.

The final bill is expected to be around £4m.

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emma (24/02/2010 at 14:16)

So the case was dismissed because of the councils conduct but weren't the defendents making false representations about the products they were selling?!?!

If they were guilty why was te councils conduct relevant?!

Brad, Macclesfield (24/02/2010 at 14:47)

How come Oldham Council want Mr.Miller to pay costs...Oldham Trading bought the case...surely why should an innocent person have to pay...it was only through Oldham Trading that Mr.Miller was there in the first place..

Mum's little sun beam, on her knee (24/02/2010 at 15:11)

Never learn to they these bullies? Good money after bad.

Jeremy Sutcliffe (24/02/2010 at 15:33)

Strong leadership from the Parker-Sykes-Alcock combo should have said that an appeal was a possibility in the first place. I'll accept they would not have been wise to say immediately that they definitely would appeal without first getting legal opinion but there was no statement that they were even considering it.

What we have here a distinct case of "Opps! We'd better because the public have noticed."

d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (24/02/2010 at 15:41)

Anyone who watched rogue traders a few weeks ago wouldnt use the phrase "Innocent" in any sentance about Vance Miller.

By his own statements he has a string of convictions ranging from assault to smuggling and kidnapping.

The Legal Eagle, Winsford (24/02/2010 at 15:48)

I bet the Tax Payer will foot the bill for the cost of taking the appeal to Court, as I doubt if you can claim on a insurance policy for that!

The Simple Truth, is Here (24/02/2010 at 16:55)

Vance Miller - NO! they will not let him go (let him go)

Oh mama - mia let him go !

Be-elzebub, had the devil for a son.... etc

(or something like that)

canonball, inside the helmet (24/02/2010 at 17:10)

I'll tell you what i'll do your Honour....I'll put in a new kitchen for you!

Ledbury Lad (24/02/2010 at 17:22)

Mr Miller was cleared of conspiracy to defraud , and this should be the end of the matter. It appears to me that this is a vendetta against Mr Miller , on the part of Oldham Council, and they will go to any lengths to destroy this individual.Oldham council are very dissapointed by the judges ruling - most people are when they are found guilty or in their case " Abused the process of court" Pay what you owe, and move on for the sake of your residents.

thoughtful, East of Manchester (24/02/2010 at 18:08)

It's easy to launch expensive appeals when it's other peoples money you're using to do it! Parker doesn't even live in Oldham and won't suffer the consequences if Oldham lose. The ruling that the councils action led to the ruling that they are liable has not been taken on board and hence back to court they go.
It's too easy for public servants to reach for legal remedy, like with the private sector there needs to be some personal risk in this so how about a new law that if they lose all the public servants involved have to pay 10% of the legal costs. Thats way we'd have a bit more circumspection before they put their hands in our pockets!

Deejay, Bury (24/02/2010 at 19:57)

Unbelievable. In a time of financial prudence, when Council Tax settlements for Local Authorities is set to plunge, and Council Tax receipts are down due to less people in work - Oldham Council is wasting yet MORE money on a futile endeavour.

At what point do they realise that they are simply burning good money after bad? No doubt several hundred jobs will be lost at the Council to pay for this farce.

Laetitriumphantes (24/02/2010 at 21:30)

This just goes from bad to worse - Charlie P is trying to save his slimy skin I think. Perhaps he ought to slither back to his shack in Cheshire ...

Chris0706 (24/02/2010 at 22:17)

Miller and Co. were found not guilty, surely they are entitled to claim back their expenses, Oldham Council would have claimed if the case had gone the other way. Surely it is not unreasonable to expect your loss of earnings and legal costs to be paid. If Parker doesn't want the tax payers to foot the bill he should put his hand in his pocket and pay it himself.

Old School (24/02/2010 at 22:41)

The only difference in this case is one set of criminals was elected

mogan97 (25/02/2010 at 00:10)

oldham council on a loser again.

When in Rome (25/02/2010 at 00:14)

This website has made Vance Miller famous or infamous, given him maximum publicity or constantly exposed him, it depends how he sees it. I'm sick of reading about him.

mogan97 (25/02/2010 at 00:15)

oldham council on a loser again when will they ever learn?

Ronnie James (25/02/2010 at 01:00)

Jeez it's like watching Last of The Summer Wine following the antics of these imbeciles who run OUR town! Wouldn't it have been wise for Charlie Parker to delay making a decision such as this until after the independant review WE'RE PAYING FOR? How muce MORE will the costs raise now? Lets hope Phil Woolas has the balls to raise this matter with Central Government and common sense and fairness can prevail once and for all. We've already been greatly embarrassed over the whole affair, is Charlie Parker now holding his hands up and accepting responsibility? Did he authorise or actively conspire with Tony Allen to pursue a personal vendetta and WHY??? The lives of some of those that worked at that mill were shattered by this councils shameless torment, decent standards of behaviour were never afforded to them by the Tiny Tyrant as they struggled to earn a wage from the only person in the town who would employ them and offer any kind of hope of a future. Vance Miller was a bad lad 20 odd years ago and has since done very well for himself and for the communities he supports. Shouldn't the Council be working with this man and not against him?

Adam Hindle (16/03/2010 at 17:21)

i think you should put Vance Miller at the head of the Oldham Council, he's the only one in this mess that seems to know what he's doing.

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