Jeremy Clarkson path row inquiry costs wrong, admits minister

The dispute over the footpath is with the High Court

Ex-transport minister David Anderson has apologised to the House of Keys for giving the wrong figures for the costs of the long-running Langness inquiry.

Last month, Mr Anderson told MHKs that £49,622 had been spent trying to resolve the rights of way row between Jeremy Clarkson and ramblers.

On Tuesday, he admitted that the government had actually spent £107,702 on the long-running inquiry.

Mr Anderson apologised and said he had not intended to mislead the house.

In a prepared statement, Mr Anderson, who is now health minister, said: "The all-inclusive costs to date for the government, incurred by the Department of Infrastructure, are £107,702, not £49,622 as I stated.

"There was no intention on my part to mislead the House, nor I believe was there any intention on the part of the Department of Infrastructure to withhold information from me and ultimately from this House.

"The officers in the Department of Infrastructure are very apologetic for supplying me with unclear information, and would like me to apologise to the House on their behalf."

The figure of £49,622 referred to the costs of setting up the inquiry, Mr Anderson said.

The Langness peninsula became the subject of controversy after ramblers complained that the BBC Top Gear presenter had diverted a footpath.

Clarkson claimed there had never been any public right of way across the land. The row is currently being dealt with by the High Court and no final ruling has been made.

Last month, fence posts and a gate were uprooted from his property and thrown from the cliff onto the rocks below.