Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has concerns about the level of legal aid provided to terror suspect Abu Qatada, it has emerged.
Mr Grayling told the Commons a legal aid system would necessarily have to provide some support to controversial figures.
But after it was revealed last week that Qatada had received more than £500,000 of support, with further bills to follow, Mr Grayling said he was unhappy with the situation.
Speaking during justice questions in the Commons, Mr Grayling said: "It is always going to be the case, whether we like it or not, that in the interests of justice we will have to provide some support to people we find distasteful.
"But the reality is I share concerns about this issue. I have already commissioned a review of aspects of our legal aid system where I think there are public confidence issues and I hope to bring forward thoughts on that in due course."
Mr Grayling spoke out after being questioned by Tory MP Priti Patel (Witham) who described the payments as a "misuse of public money".
In answers to parliamentary questions last week, Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is the body with operational responsibility for legal aid in England and Wales.
"The LSC have not received final claims from Abu Qatada's solicitors but have confirmed that they had provided £515,778 in legal aid funding to Abu Qatada as of December 5."
