Kent Police lose out on merger costs
Kent Police have lost £52,000 of the money they spent preparing for the force mergers which abandoned in July. The mergers were opposed by the Liberal Democrats and the dropping of the merger plans welcomed. It has now been revealed that of the total £152,042 that Kent Police spent on preparing for the merger, only £100,000 will be refunded by the Government.
Commenting on news, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said:
"This is a slap in the face for taxpayers and the police alike.
"Millions of pounds have been spent nationally on this unnecessary, harebrained scheme, and now the police are not getting anywhere near the compensation they deserve for the disruption inflicted on them by this ministerial wheeze."