Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Tory’s ‘bid to cut his wife’s divorce cash’
Bridgen accused over leaving role in family firm
TORY MP Andrew Bridgen has been accused of stepping aside from his family business in an attempt to stop his ex-wife claiming a larger divorce settlement.
He allegedly viewed his involvement with the three companies as a “financial liability in his divorce”.
Bridgen, 55, is said to have asked to return to the business as director after legal proceedings with his ex-wife Jackie were finalised.
This request was rejected over allegations of his “extremely abusive and aggressive language and conduct”.
All the claims, which Bridgen denies, are revealed in High Court files relating to a financial case he has brought against his brother Paul, 52, and other shareholders in the business. Brexiteer Bridgen, criticised last week for defending Jacob Reesmogg’s comments on Grenfell, claims the group tried to extract profits from the business by “misappropriating” £1million in the “secret” purchase of Barn Farm in Hilton, Staffs, in 2015.
He told the Mirror: “By taking twothirds of my salary from me they dropped me in the deep and wide. I own 45% of the shares in all those companies... but I’ve got no control.”
The firms, which boasted a £30million turnover, include Leicestershire-based
AB Produce, which sells veg. The next hearing is Friday.
Bridgen stopped taking an active role in the firms in 2010 after becoming MP for North West Leicestershire. He separated from Jackie in 2011.
Defence case papers filed by Paul and other shareholders claim Bridgen quit his “non-executive chairman” role because the MP was “concerned his wife would... seek increased financial relief [due to his] shareholdings and remaining directorship”.
Paul and the shareholders, who deny wrongdoing, also allege Bridgen was aware of the farm purchase.
Documents show Bridgen’s £90,000 company salary ended in August 2014. Bridgen, now married to opera singer Nevena, said his employment was terminated that month – weeks after the divorce hearing.