Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be called to give evidence in fraud trial against businessman, judge rules
A UK judge’s new ruling regarding a fraud trial set for November is likely to have major court implications for the former Duke of York.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be called to give evidence in a fraud trial involving Turkish businessman Selman Turk, a UK judge ruled on Friday.
The former royal would be likely giving evidence to the High Court when the trial kicks off in London in November following today’s judgement by Justice Adam Johnson, according to Metro.
Mr Turk, a former Goldman Sachs banker, is being sued by fellow Turkish national Nebahat Isbilen, who alleges that when Mr Turk was working as her adviser when he tricked her into making a £750,000 ($1.43m) payment to the former royal in 2019, according to Metro. The sum was paid back.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Justice Johnson ruled on Friday that Mr Turk, who denies any dishonesty on his part, was permitted to seek to call evidence from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who is not alleged to have conducted any wrongdoing.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations, both on their own terms and in light of their wider impact, fairness requires that Mr Turk should be afforded an opportunity of putting forward his own case, using the evidence he considers relevant and material,” Justice Johnson told the court.
Justice Johnson later clarified that it was “likely” that a witness summons would be needed to compel the former royal to give evidence in the trial.
“It is highly unlikely that a person in the position of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor would wish voluntarily to provide a witness statement and give evidence at a trial in public proceedings involving payments made by the wife of a person said to be a political prisoner in Turkey, in connection with a dispute about the reason the payments were made,” Justice Johnson told the court.
The former duke has previously abstained from commenting on the complex case in which Mr Turk is accused of siphoning tens of millions of dollars from Ms Isbilen during her attempted move from Turkey to London.
The ruling follows Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal win against Thames Valley police earlier this month after a judge found that police searches of his Norfolk home as part of a criminal investigation into his alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were unlawful.
Also this month, the former prince was awarded 302,000 pounds ($600,000) in compensation after he was forced to surrender the lease on his long-time home ahead of schedule due to the public outcry surrounding his relationship with Epstein.
