Abu's lawyer hooks £625k

THE controversial solicitor who represented Abu Hamza saw her firm earn a massive £625,883 from legal aid last year.
Figures from the Legal Services Commission show that Muddassar Arani’s business collected a staggering £1.4million from the taxpayer over the last five years.
Its income for the financial year 2005/2006 was TREBLE that of the previous year.
According to documents seen by The Sun, Mercedes-driving Ms Arani’s firm earned £221,655 in 2004/05, £151,904 in 2003/04, £215,186 in 2002/03 and £220,527 in 2001/02.
The solicitor operates from above a cash and carry in the West London suburb of Southall and lives in a £300,000 terraced house in neighbouring Brentford.
Labour MP Andrew Dismore, a former solicitor, said of the figures: "It’s outrageous. I intend to ask questions about the amounts of money she has claimed.
"How can these exorbitant figures be justified — particularly as she has earned a considerable sum representing Hamza who is a sworn enemy of our country."
Ms Arani has represented hook-handed cleric Hamza since 1998. Earlier this year he was convicted of soliciting murder in his sermons and jailed for seven years.
She recently protested on Hamza’s behalf about the food he is served at top-security Belmarsh Prison in South East London.
Ms Arani, 42, also represents a number of terrorist suspects.
She is currently being investigated by watchdog The Law Society for alleged misconduct after a protest about her professional links to one of them.
Controversy erupted around her last year when it was claimed her firm was circulating leaflets advising Muslims not to help police.
Before the July 7 attacks on London last year, which killed 52 people, she suggested the terror threat was exaggerated.
A spokesman for the Legal Services Commission said: "The criminal defence work the firm undertakes underpins one of the key principles of our justice system.
"Fair trials can only take place if people have legal representation."