Aid victory for human rights cases

Two judges ruled the decision to introduce the controversial changes in April last year “to save money” could not stand because of the “unlawful” influence exerted by former Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth on the decision-making process – unknown to Ms Evans.

Ms Evans recently fought a legally-aided action to stop Afghans captured by UK forces being sent to prisons where they allegedly faced torture.

But amendments to legal aid rules sought by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) threatened to prevent her and other activists bringing similar publicly-funded judicial review cases in the future.

The effect of the amendments was to block public funding in cases raising “public interest” issues if they were brought by claimants who did not stand to gain “direct benefit” for themselves or their families if the case was won.

Yesterday Ms Evans persuaded the High Court in London to strike down the amendments.