Rebekah Vardy cites Meghan Markle as she tries to strike out Coleen Rooney’s Wagatha Christie claims
REBEKAH Vardy today used Meghan Markle's privacy battle to try to strike out some of Coleen Rooney's Wagatha Christie's claims.
The mum-of-five is fighting to get a "list of issues" in Coleen's defence thrown out on the grounds they are irrelevant or "wrong".
If her application is granted, Coleen’s hope of winning would be seriously weakened — if not fatally wounded — and their 18-month Wagatha Christie fight may end.
In her court documents, lawyers for Rebekah used Meghan's high-profile privacy case against the Mail on Sunday to argue some allegations made by Coleen should be dismissed.
The papers cite a ruling made by the judge in the Duchess of Sussex's successful legal battle that the "facts alleged must be sufficient".
Hugh Tomlinson QC, for Rebekah, told the High Court: "The purpose of this application is to clear away what we say is a mass of irrelevant or peripheral material to save time and costs."
He also denied Rebekah wanted parts of the defence thrown out because they would be "embarrassing" and instead insists "it is not necessary and will be a waste of everybody's time".
The court was told a future libel trial would last for nine days if parts of Coleen’s defence are not struck out - costing Becky £475,000.
If the judge agrees to their application the trial will last five days and cost Becky £273,000.
The lawyer added: "Most of the factual allegations which are made are, in fact, wrong, but considerable time and costs will be wasted in examining them... It will be a monumental waste of time and costs."
But the move to throw out part of the defence is opposed by Coleen.
Becky, 39, has also asked London’s High Court to reach an early ruling — a summary judgment — on Coleen’s claim that Becky leaked details of her “TV plans” to the media.
Jamie and Becky put on a united front as they stepped out for lunch ahead of England's Euro clash with Scotland.
Dressed in jeans and a fitted cream blazer with gold buttons, the couple looked relaxed as they battled the rain.
Jamie, in a black t-shirt and chinos, held his wife's hand and covered them both with an umbrella.
Coleen turned detective in October 2019 and accused Rebekah of sharing stories from her personal Instagram account.
In the infamous post, Coleen said she posted a string of false stories via her Instagram account with restricted access to see if they appeared in the media, which they did.
She then said the fake stories had only been viewed by one person, and ended dramatically: “It’s . . . Rebekah Vardy’s account.”
Jamie Vardy's wife Rebekah, who was heavily pregnant at the time, denied the allegations and claimed several people had access to her account.
The pair have previously held failed mediation sessions over Zoom during the pandemic.
Becky’s latest bid to sink Coleen has cost £78,000 — on top of £431,158 already splurged.
If the case gets to trial she expects to spend a further £465,842.
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Coleen, 35, whose hubby is England legend Wayne, 35, has spent £181,250 and budgeted for an extra £402,312.
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She says the climbing costs are “grotesque”.
A trial has been pencilled in “before next Easter”.
