Ant McPartlin criticised by judge for missing hearing over divorce
TELEVISION PRESENTER Ant McPartlin has been criticised 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, who separated from Mr McPartlin earlier year, attended the hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London yesterday.
Mr McPartlin was not in court but was represented by lawyers, and Mr Justice Mostyn said the television star 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 Mr McPartlin and Ms Armstrong in reports of the hearing. He also said they could report that Mr McPartlin had been “told off ” for not attending.
“Why is he not here?” Mr Justice Mostyn asked barrister Jonathan Southgate QC, who is leading Mr 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 Mr McPartlin’s non-attendance had he been contacted in advance and given a reason for it.
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 Mr McPartlin’s address could not be revealed in reports of hearings.
Further hearings are expected to take place in the near future.
Mr McPartlin, 42, had asked the judge to impose reporting restrictions.
Another judge has already drawn the pair’s marriage to a close.
Judge Alun Jenkins granted a decree nisi at hearing in the Central Family Court in London in October.