A judge has ruled that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be called to give evidence at the High Court in a trial involving fraud allegations against a Turkish businessman. While the former duke is not accused of wrongdoing and the case does not centre on him, he has been drawn into the matter due to past business dealings.
Trial Set for November in London
Expected to begin in London in November, the trial involves businessman Selman Turk, who is being sued by fellow Turkish national Nebahat Isbilen. Ms Isbilen alleges that Mr Turk, her former adviser, misled her about a £750,000 payment made to the then-duke in 2019, which was later repaid.
Mr Turk denies dishonesty and sought permission to call Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence at the trial. In a judgment today, Mr Justice Adam Johnson agreed and allowed Mr Turk to rely on a witness summary, as well as permitting him to seek to call evidence from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.
Judge's Ruling on Evidence
He said: '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.'
The judge later said his decision only meant Mr Turk could call evidence from the former prince and that a witness summons 'will likely' be needed to compel him to give evidence.
Details of the Allegations
In the complex case, it is alleged that Mr Turk stole millions from Mrs Isbilen. Mr Turk arranged payments of £350k to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, £225k to Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and £25k to Princess Eugenie, plus a gifted £750k for Princess Beatrice's 2020 wedding to Edoardo Mapelli.
