Mail on Sunday in Bannatyne win

Judge holds false divorce evidence should be publicised

The Mail on Sunday has won its claim against Dragons Den star Duncan Bannatyne for disclosure of information revealing he had lied during his divorce case.

Mr Banntyne sought an order preventing the newspaper from publishing allegations made by the former CEO of his company, Nigel Armstrong.

In his claim for wrongful dismissal against Mr Bannatyne, Mr Armstrong revealed in case papers that Mr Bannatyne had put in a false witness statement during his divorce case.

Mr Bannatyne argued that information from the divorce case was confidential and should not be made public. However, HHJ Hodge QC, sitting in the High Court, dismissed Mr Bannatyne’s  application, concluding that: “There can be no public interest in inhibiting full, frank and honest disclosure to the court; but there is a public interest in encouraging full, frank and honest disclosure, and disclosure which is not full, frank and honest should be publicised”.

5RB‘s Adam Wolanski and Gervase de Wilde were instructed for Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Mail on Sunday.

Links:

Daily Mail – ‘Judge backs Mail on Sunday expose of Bannatyne court lie

Daily Mirror – ‘I’m a Celebrity’s Duncan Bannatyne lied about his millions during bitter divorce court battle’

Telegraph – ‘Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne provided false evidence in divorce battle’