Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has suffered another blow after members of his own family publicly distanced themselves from him in an extraordinary statement. The businessman, 43, who was recently released from a Dubai prison for a second time while facing fraud allegations, has found himself increasingly isolated.
Family speaks out
Lee's sister Kelly Andrews and one of his former school friends broke their silence on social media, admitting they have been left stunned by recent developments. 'Kelly Andrews and I just want to take a moment to speak the truth,' the statement began. 'Recent information shared has brought forward evidence that has left us both shocked. We are the first to admit when we're wrong, and now that there is proof, we feel it's important to acknowledge that.'
'We also want people to understand that this involves Kelly's brother, which makes this incredibly painful for their family. The Lee we knew was never like this, which makes it even harder for us, as his sister and as a friend, to get our heads around everything that's come to light.'
Ongoing legal troubles
The statement comes after a turbulent few months for Katie's husband, who was arrested in Dubai for a second time earlier this month while facing allegations of fraud, which he denies. Lee was reportedly taken to Lahab Police Station on July 10 and was said to be attempting to raise around £120,000 to settle outstanding debts before he could leave the country.
His father, Peter Andrews, was also reported to have been detained on suspicion of fraud, with the pair believed to have spent time in the same prison. While Lee was released earlier this week, reports initially suggested Peter remained behind bars before insiders later claimed he, too, had been freed.
'Katie is aware that Peter has been let out and has spoken to him,' a source told The Sun. 'She's focusing on her life and job commitments in the UK at the moment and just putting her best foot forward.'
Marriage under strain
The latest family statement adds to what has become an increasingly bleak period for Lee, whose whirlwind marriage to Katie has been overshadowed by one controversy after another. Sources previously claimed the former glamour model had reached 'the end of her tether' following his latest arrest, with friends reportedly urging her to leave the relationship.
'Right now she is furious with it all, and fed up with all the drama and white noise her husband is bringing,' one insider alleged.
The claims came alongside allegations that Lee had spent months attempting to sell an alleged sex tape featuring himself and Katie for £250,000 before his arrest. According to reports, a voice note allegedly sent by Lee discussed approaching adult entertainment companies, including Vivid Entertainment, in the hope of making quick money.
In the alleged recording, he reportedly said: 'I could always release my sex tape with my wife, but it might go for a pretty penny… So see if a newspaper will pay for that — quarter of a million f***ing quid…' He is then said to have quickly backtracked after being told it would be illegal to release intimate footage without Katie's consent, reportedly insisting: 'I was not serious on that mate we have OnlyFans we will do our thing on this.'
Katie has vehemently denied that any such tape exists. In a statement issued over the weekend, she said: 'This story is completely untrue. I have never made such a tape and any suggestion otherwise is false and deeply misleading. The claims appear to be based on a voice note sent from Lee discussing a tape… a tape which does not exist and never will.' She added: 'I feel incredibly upset, abused and humiliated that such serious and false allegations have been shared publicly without any factual basis.'
