NATIONAL Museums Liverpool is now embroiled in legal action with both sets of architects that worked on the new £72m Museum of Liverpool.

NML has issued proceedings against Manchester-based architects AEW after a row over work carried on the external steps of the new building at the Pier Head.

In May the Daily Post reported how NML were suing Danish architects 3XN which were sacked from the project in 2007. Legal wrangles have already seen NML pay out £1.25m – but the latest action is aimed at clawing some of the money back.

It is understood the latest legal dispute centres around work done to the outside steps of the new musuem.

NML are arguing that the work was undertaken without their consent, and not to the organisation’s liking, and is having to be re-done.

Last July NML were forced to pay AEW £500,000 over the disputed steps – because contractors Peel Galliford Try (PGT) had carried out the work they were entitled to be paid.

Now NML is seeking to claim that money back.

NML chairman Phil Redmond said: “We will fight robustly to protect the public purse. It’s amazingly frustrating that we have to go through legalistic procedures, but it is the only mechanism we have.”

It is the latest bout of legal action in a building project that has been marred with problems.

Despite the problems, bosses have been delighted with the popularity of the museum.