‘Why is he not here?’ Judge asks as Ant misses court date
TELEVISION presenter Ant McPartlin has been told off by a High Court judge after failing to attend a preliminary hearing of a divorce court fight over money with his estranged wife, Lisa Armstrong.
Ms Armstrong attended the hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London yesterday. McPartlin was not in court but was represented by lawyers.
Mr Justice Mostyn said McPartlin should have been present.
The hearing was staged in private and Mr Justice Mostyn placed limits on what could be reported. But he said journalists could name McPartlin and Ms Armstrong in reports of the hearing.
He also said they could report that McPartlin had been “told off” for not attending.
“Why is he not here?” Mr Justice Mostyn asked Jonathan Southgate QC, who leads McPartlin’s legal team.
“There isn’t one law for the famous and one for the rest of the community.
“The rules say he was supposed to be here – and that can be reported.”
Mr Justice Mostyn added: “He has been told off.”
The judge indicated that he might have excused McPartlin’s non-attendance had he been contacted in advance and given a reason.
Mr Justice Mostyn considered issues relating to the reporting of any future hearings in the pair’s fight over money. He ruled that detail relating to their confidential financial information would not be permitted. He also said McPartlin’s address could not be revealed in reports of hearings.
McPartlin, 42, had asked the judge to impose reporting restrictions.
Another judge has already drawn the pair’s marriage to a close.