Towel tycoon and son fight it out over £2m mansion

A TOWEL tycoon is suing his youngest son over a £2.2million country mansion they both say belongs to them.

Michael Parker, who made headlines in 2012 over his bitter divorce with former wife Barbara Cooke, is now locked in a second legal fight with son Thomas Parker-Bowyer over ownership of the seven-bedroom property in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Parker, 60, lived at the house, valued at between £2million to £2.65m, until 2019 when it was signed over to his son, documents presented at London’s High Court state.

However, Mr Parker, whose company sold towels to luxury hotels including the Dorchester, claims he only signed over the property, known as The House, on the basis that he has a right to still control it himself during his lifetime.

Countering his claim, Mr Parker-Bowyer says his father “gifted” the home in return for him paying off the mortgage in 2019.

The House has eight bathrooms, an enormous bespoke kitchen and features a home cinema, aqua-lift swimming pool with adjustable floor height, gym and bar, and separate staff quarters.

Judge Deputy Master John Linwood heard the dispute between father and son centres around a deal made between them in 2019, shortly after Mr Parker moved to his other house, Babs Park, nearby.

Mr Parker admits he transferred The House and its surrounding land and buildings to his son, but says it was strictly on the condition that he retain a lifetime interest in the property.

Gavin McLeod, representing Mr Parker, said: “The idea was that [the] legal title would go to his son but that Mr Parker would have continuing use and occupation of the property.”

After a three-hour hearing, the judge refused to dismiss Mr Parker’s claim, directing that evidence on the issue should be heard at a full trial.