Ecclestone son-in-law ‘punched Formula 1 tycoon in courtroom’
FORMULA 1 tycoon Bernie Ecclestone has spoken of his distress at witnessing the breakup of his youngest daughter’s marriage.
The 86-year-old mogul criticised Petra’s estranged husband, James Stunt, after it emerged the couple is separating in what could be the biggest divorce settlement in celebrity history.
The billionaire also claimed that his son-in-law punched him in the back during a first hearing at the Central Family Court on Wednesday and said it was an example of Mr Stunt’s ‘erratic’ behaviour.
The judge said that Mr Ecclestone faced ‘disgraceful’ conduct from Mr Stunt, who also appeared to make a ‘gun gesture’ with his hand and then pointed at Mr Ecclestone before calling him a ‘c***’ under his breath.
While a High Court divorce hearing is expected next month, the hearing on Wednesday concerned assets including a £15million wine collection and two London properties – one of which the 35-yearold businessman has been ordered to leave by today by the judge.
Mr Ecclestone told the Daily Mail: ‘As a father, seeing your daughter going through something like this is the last thing you want to witness.
‘I was obviously a little upset to see what Petra has had to go through to get back into her own house. It has all been very distressing.
‘Her husband knew when he signed his pre-nuptial that if an event like this ever happened, he could only stay there for three months, and then he would have to go. In the end he’s completely stupid because if Petra wanted to leave, which is what she’s done, he could have gone about things in a much nicer way. I feel sorry for him in lots of ways.’
The court heard that Petra, 28, and Mr Stunt, an art collector, had signed a £16million pre-nuptial agreement before marrying six years ago.
During their marriage Mr Stunt – at one stage said to be worth £3.3billion – was said to have been abusive and violent, the court was told.
Asked whether he had witnessed first hand this side of Mr Stunt, Mr Ecclestone said: ‘I think he had enough brains not to do that in front of me.’ He added: ‘Petra has been through a lot of things, but I hope she is through the worst now. I think she now realises he’s not the right guy she should have been with, and she has made mistakes – but then we all do.’
He said Petra was ‘happy now ... busy being a fantastic mum’.
Hours after her court appearance Petra celebrated her impending freedom by hosting a £20,000 ‘divorce and birthday pyjama party’.
Guests were instructed to wear their favourite pyjamas to sister Tamara’s 33rd birthday at her £80million mansion in West London. The event was organised and paid for by Petra as a thank you for Tamara’s support.