'Wagatha Christie' libel trial: Rebekah Vardy to pay £1.5 million to Coleen Rooney. Here's why

After a seven-day blockbuster trial, Rebekah Vardy, wife of English footballer Jamie Vardy, has been ordered to pay Coolen Rooney, wife of soccer legend Wayne Rooney, £1.5 million as legal costs. The trial, famously known as “Wagatha Christie,” was initiated by Rebekah after Coolen accused her of leaking information from their private life.

Rebekah filed the libel in June 2020 after Coolen accused her in late 2019 of leaking her private posts to The Sun. Rebekah refuted the accusations on Twitter and claimed that her Instagram account was hacked. The trial took place this year for seven days between May 10 and 19. The judgment was pronounced in favour of Coolen on July 29. Justice Steyn had called Rebekah’s evidence implausible and evasive.



In an official statement on Tuesday morning, the judge further ordered Rebekah Vardy to pay £1.5 million towards the legal cost to Coolen Rooney. The court has ordered the plaintiff to pay £800,000 within six weeks and, in total, pay 90% of the costs. Coolen’s legal bill, estimated by her attorney to be around £1,667,860.48, is yet to be finalised. Rebekah was also ordered to pay the costs incurred by the seven journos presented as potential witnesses but failed to provide any evidence.

FAQs

1. When was the Wagatha Christie judgment pronounced?
   Justice Steyn pronounced the judgment in favour of Coolen Rooney on July 29.
2. Why did Rebekah file the libel?
   Rebekah filed a libel against Coolen after the latter accused her of leaking private Instagram posts to The Sun.