Former Pakistani leader living in London

LONDON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, now living in London, is guarded round-the-clock at a taxpayer cost of nearly $42,000 a day, a London paper says.

Scotland Yard has assigned a 10-member team to protect Musharraf, who has been living in a three-bedroom West London apartment about four months.

The Times said while Musharraf pays for a small team of retired Pakistani commandos from his own pocket, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee decided to provide additional security.

The former military general became Pakistan's president in 1999 after a successful coup against the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Musharraf resigned last year after losing in general elections.

The Times report said Musharraf likes to dine at the Dorchester Hotel and enjoys golf.

Britain's Guardian newspaper said he also plays bridge regularly and being an accomplished Urdu singer, likes to host musical evenings at his apartment.

The Times said in the past, Britain has been home to dissidents, dictators and princes, many of whom received government protection.

The Guardian report said it is not known how long Musharraf plans to stay in London. He has insisted he is not in exile, although in Pakistan, Sharif wants him tried for treason. However, the report quoted experts as saying they don't believe he will face trial any time soon.