A quashed decision by former DUP minister Edwin Poots to order officials to halt Protocol-related checks has cost the public more than £57,000 in legal fees.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has so far spent £51,875 on a failed attempt to defend a judicial review challenging his instruction, which a court ruled was unlawful.
It also footed a £5,400 bill for external legal advice Mr Poots received on which he based his decision, spending figures obtained by Belfast Live reveal.
