Closer (UK)

Posh & Becks’ new marriage misery

As fresh family dramas threaten the Beckham name, Posh and David are at loggerhead­s as to how to solve the situation

- By Daisy Mclure

❛ TO FACE ALL THIS ANIMOSITY AND PUBLIC HUMILIATIO­N IS VERY DISTRESSIN­G FOR THEM ❜

Their names were dragged through the mud yet again last week when Victoria Beckham’s former brother-in-law, Darren Flood, was jailed for two and a half years for his role in a near-£1 million fraud scheme – using his links to her husband David to trick vulnerable victims into handing over their life savings.

Posh’s younger sister, Louise Adams, 41 – who ended her five-year marriage to second husband Darren, the father of her seven-year-old daughter Quincy, in 2014 – praised the convicted fraudster as a “wonderful father” in a character statement read out in court. There was no suggestion Posh, 44, or David, 43, knew anything about the scam.

BROKEN TRUST

A source says, “Vic was close to Darren and he was part of their family for the best part of six years, so to have to face such a betrayal has left her feeling upset and has broken her trust for anyone who’s not in her immediate family. She can’t believe he could use his connection to her family in the way he has. It’s distressin­g for her to see her sister and niece upset by this.”

To add to their humiliatio­n, David’s sister Joanne’s former partner Kris Donnelly, 33, staged a protest on the doorstep of the Beckhams’ London home last week. He was seen leaving a gift for his estranged oneyear-old daughter, Peggy, who he shares with the 36-year-old hairdresse­r – amid claims he’s been blocked from seeing her since last April.

CUSTODY BATTLE

Former Big Brother star Kris – who split from Joanne six months after welcoming their daughter – has been extremely vocal about their bitter custody battle on social media, and has even become an ambassador for campaign group Fathers 4 Justice.

The family dramas are the latest crisis for the Beckhams, who have faced speculatio­n over the past year about the state of their marriage following false Twitter rumours that they were divorcing. And pals say Posh – who has Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 16, Cruz, 13, and seven-year-old Harper with David – has been left feeling hurt by their former family members, who she welcomed into her tight-knit network with open arms.

The source says, “Vic and David built up a strong bond with Kris, who their kids also adored, so to face all this animosity and public humiliatio­n is very distressin­g for them. It’s tough to see Louise and Joanne upset too, and while Vic knows both situations are out of their control, it’s been an incredibly difficult time for all the family. It’s caused lots of emotional chats between family members, and Vic despairs at the whole thing – especially as it’s sparked some tension between her and David.”

Sources add that while David wants to ignore Kris, Posh would like to speak to him in a desperate bid to help smooth things over.

The source says, “Vic is panicking that unless they intervene with Kris, the situation could escalate. She’s worried about what else could come out that may further harm their family name. It’s caused a bit of an atmosphere between her and David, who’s adamant that they should stay quiet. But she’s accused him of always trying to brush things under the carpet rather than address things headon. The tense situation has only added to her misery.”

The source adds, “David’s more practical than Vic and he’s urged her to keep her head down and says intervenin­g will only antagonise the situation.”

To add insult to injury, it was reported last week that Trinity Brands UK, which own David’s Kent & Curwen fashion brand, had suffered losses of nearly £11 million. They said their partnershi­p with David had “incurred significan­t costs, including design and developmen­t, in advance of any product being available in stores.” It followed fresh reports that fashion designer Posh’s label has continued to mount up debts of over £10 million.

DIVORCE RUMOURS

And pals say Posh is worried their businesses have taken a hit as a knock-on effect on the speculatio­n over their marriage.

The source adds, “Vic is concerned the divorce rumours are harming them, both personally and profession­ally. She worries people aren’t investing in them and their businesses because of all the split rumours, and she doesn’t want any more family drama.”

 ??  ?? Louise’s ex, Darren, is a convicted fraudster
Louise’s ex, Darren, is a convicted fraudster
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