Rebecca Vardy and Coleen Rooney: Landmark Libel Case Comes to a Close
In a significant development in the high-profile libel case between Rebecca Vardy and Coleen Rooney, a commercially satisfactory conclusion has been reached, bringing an end to a long and acrimonious dispute. According to a report by the BBC, the parties have agreed to a settlement, with Judge Whalan declaring that both women can now "part to put this matter behind them".
The case, which has been widely covered in the media, centres around a post on Coleen Rooney’s private Instagram account, in which she made comments that were allegedly libellous towards Rebecca Vardy. The dispute has been ongoing for several years, with both women incurring significant legal costs. Commenting on the outcome, a spokesperson for one of the parties noted that they were "generally happy" that the conclusion represented a "commercially satisfactory conclusion for both sides", but acknowledged that there had been "extraordinary expenditure of costs" by the parties.
As reported by the BBC, the costs incurred by Coleen Rooney, the wife of ex-England footballer Wayne Rooney, were substantial, with her original legal bill totalling £1.8m. However, Rebecca Vardy’s barrister, Juliet Wells, had argued that Mrs Rooney’s costs were "grossly disproportionate" and recommended that they be capped at "no more than £100,000". In written submissions, Ms Wells stated that Mrs Rooney’s legal bill was "substandard" and included costs "of briefing the press" and others to which she had "no entitlement".
The dispute between the two women, who are both celebrities and TV personalities in their own right, has been widely reported in the media. Neither Mrs Rooney nor Mrs Vardy attended the remote hearing, with Judge Whalan stating that they "can both part to put this matter behind them". The settlement brings an end to a protracted and unhappy chapter for both parties, with Coleen Rooney’s spokesperson expressing hope that this outcome would mark the end of the "long and unhappy road".
According to the BBC, lawyers for Coleen Rooney had argued in their written submissions that Rebecca Vardy was "the author of her own misfortune" and that she should "reflect upon her approach". This sentiment was echoed by Judge Whalan, who noted that the conclusion represented a satisfactory outcome for both parties. The settlement is understood to have been reached following extensive negotiations between the parties.
In conclusion, the libel case between Rebecca Vardy and Coleen Rooney has finally come to a close, with a commercially satisfactory conclusion reached for both parties. As reported by the BBC, the dispute has been ongoing for several years, incurring significant legal costs for both women. The settlement brings an end to a long and acrimonious chapter, with both parties able to put the matter behind them. As Coleen Rooney’s spokesperson noted, it is hoped that this outcome marks the end of a "long and unhappy road".
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, this was reported by the BBC.
