Costs for Pope’s visit soar by half to £12m

THE Pope’s first UK visit in nearly 30 years could cost taxpayers up to £12million as it emerged yesterday that the budget has spiralled by half.

The Pope s visit to the UK could cost taxpayers up to 12million The Pope's visit to the UK could cost taxpayers up to £12million

Chris Patten, the Prime Minister’s special representative for the event, said up to £4million would need to be added to the £8million Government contribution.

He explained it was due to the “complexity and sophistication” of organising the September visit. And he admitted that did not include the multi-million-pound policing bill.

The figure drew criticism from opponents of the trip who warned costs would rise again. National Secular Society president Terry Sanderson predicted the latest tally was “only the start”.

He said: “We are outraged but not surprised by the news.”

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