The very dramatic “Wagatha Christie” defamation trial judgement has been released after more than two months of anticipation, and the Rooney family is the one to rejoice.
The two-and-a-half year feud, which began in 2019 when Coleen Rooney launched a “sting operation” and claimed Rebekah Vardy had leaked “false claims” about her personal life to The Sun newspaper, has come to an end thanks to Mrs. Justice Steyn, a South African-born judge.
VERDICT OF “WAGATHA CHRISTIE”
The judge determined that Coleen, 36, who is married to former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, had not disparaged Rebekah Vardy, according to The Guardian.
Jamie Vardy, a former player for Leicester City, is married to Rebekah.
Vardy’s testimony had “major sections” that were unreliable, according to Mrs. Justice Steyn, and there were numerous occasions throughout the trial when it “was obviously incongruous with the contemporaneous documentary evidence, evasive or improbable.”
Additionally, she found that Vardy, 40, and her ex-agent Caroline Watt had purposefully destroyed WhatsApp exchanges that included potentially incriminating evidence.
It was revealed at a hearing for the “Wagatha Christie” pre-trial that Watt had dropped her cellphone in the North Sea days after being told to turn it over for a forensic analysis when the boat she was aboard struck a wave.
The judge concluded that this might have been done intentionally.
It’s likely that Ms. Vardy erased their WhatsApp conversation on purpose and that Ms. Watt dropped her phone into the water on purpose.
The judge concluded that “it is likely Vardy knew of, approved of, and was actively involved in the process of Watt leaking stories about Rooney to the Sun.”
VARDY AND ROONEY’S REACTIONS
Vardy should probably maintain a quiet profile following her defeat, according to the Mirror.
She hasn’t offered any comments thus far.
This is a “PR nightmare for Rebekah Vardy and PR success for Coleen Rooney,” said PR expert Daniel Hughes.
“Coleen not only won in court, but she also triumphed in the court of public opinion.
Although Coleen never wanted to go in court, she handled the situation with grace and dignity—a significant accomplishment for the public’s favorite WAG.
Rebekah needs some time away from the spotlight, he continued. Her reputation has been gravely hurt.
Rooney, on the other hand, made a statement following the announcement of the verdict.
She said she was happy with the decision but “never believed” the case should have gone to trial “at such expense in times of poverty for so many people when the money could have been spent far better helping others.”
The estimated overall cost of the case will be around £3 million (R60 million).