Former England football star Wayne Rooney’s wife, Coleen Rooney, was ordered by a British court to pay Caroline Watt £65,000 (Rs 66 lakh) towards legal costs following an unsuccessful bid to join her to a libel case against Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy’s wife, Rebekah.
Coleen, 35, and Rebekah, 39, are involved in a court case after the former accused the latter of leaking information about her via social media.
Coleen’s lawyers had sought the court’s permission to cross examine Rebekah’s agent, Watt, about WhatsApp messages shared between the two, claiming Rebekah had leaked information to The Sun either directly or through Watt. Justice Steyn denied this request and ordered Coleen to pay up for Watt’s legal costs. The court however, permitted Coleen to include an allegation that Rebekah, through Watt, leaked information to The Sun.
Coleen’s lawyers believe they will win the case which will be heard in May. “The judgment does nothing to alter the fact that Ms Watt will be a witness in this case. She will be subject to cross examination about her relationship with Mrs Vardy and the media and about the WhatsApp messages,” Coleen’s lawyers said in a statement.
