High Court Rules Prince Andrew Can Be Called in Fraud Trial
Businessman Selman Turk seeks evidence from the former Duke of York in a £750,000 payment dispute.
Sarah Connor
A High Court judge has ruled Prince Andrew can be called to give evidence in a fraud trial.
Mr. Turk can now rely on a witness summary and pursue evidence from Prince Andrew. This development unfolds as Mr. Turk faces a lawsuit from Nebahat Isbilen, with their London trial set to begin in November.
Ms. Isbilen claims Mr. Turk misled her regarding a £750,000 payment made to Prince Andrew in 2019. Mr. Turk denies any dishonesty in the matter.
Lawyers for Mrs. Isbilen previously informed the court that tens of millions of her funds had been misappropriated. They stated Mr. Turk failed to explain the money's destination.
Funds were reportedly used for purposes unconnected with Mrs. Isbilen. These included substantial sums paid to Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York.
The High Court heard in 2023 that Mrs. Isbilen reached a settlement with the then-Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Andrew faces no accusation of wrongdoing in the current case.
Mr. Justice Adam Johnson stated that fairness requires Mr. Turk receive the opportunity to present his case. He confirmed Mr. Turk could use relevant evidence.
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 also observed the unlikelihood of voluntary cooperation. "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," Mr. Justice Adam Johnson said.