Coleen hires top cyber-cop in Vardy fight
She builds team ahead of libel trial
COLEEN Rooney has hired a former Scotland Yard cyber-crime detective in her court battle with Rebekah Vardy.
Investigator Matt Blackband is part of Coleen’s plan to leave “no stone unturned” after a judge ordered the disclosure of more WhatsApp messages between Vardy and agent Caroline Watt.
Blackband’s involvement came to light when he was named as Coleen’s digital information expert in the High Court ruling on Monday.
He helped found the multi-agency National Hi-Tech Crime Unit and has been an investigator for 30 years, including 21 with the Met Police. A source said: “Coleen believes the damning WhatsApp messages revealed in court last week between Rebekah and her agent Caroline Watt were the tip of an iceberg.
“Understandably, having been put in this position, she is leaving no stone unturned. She’s confident of winning the court case as more evidence emerges.”
A legal insider said: “Matt is one of the most outstanding operators in the business. He is a great weapon to have.”
Coleen, 35, wife of ex-England captain Wayne, claims Vardy’s social media account is linked to leaks to a newspaper about her private life.
Rebekah, 39, wife of Leicester City striker Jamie, denies the accusations and is suing her for libel.
Coleen’s lawyers claim Rebekah leaked information either directly or through her agent Watt “acting on her instruction or with her knowing approval”. Coleen asked to bring an additional claim against Watt for misuse of private information and wanted it heard alongside the libel case, which is due in May.
The High Court ruled this out on Monday but gave permission for disclosure of further WhatsApps. Last night a source accused Coleen’s camp of “wishful thinking” if they hoped new evidence would emerge from further messages being disclosed. A source said: “They are very much clutching at straws.”