Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1652284016

Rebekah Vardy news – live: Coleen Rooney’s ex-friend cries in dock over online abuse

Wife of Leicester City star continues to give evidence in High Court libel trial

Zoe Tidman,Holly Bancroft,Chiara Giordano
Wednesday 11 May 2022 16:46 BST
Related video: Coleen Rooney arrives at High Court for the start of ‘Wagatha Christie’ dispute

Rebekah Vardy was in tears in the witness box as she was questioned about the online abuse that she and her family have received.

Coleen Rooney’s lawyer David Sherborne referenced online rape threats against Ms Vardy’s daughter, which prompted the reality start to start crying and wipe away tears from her eyes.

She grabbed a number of tissues and started dabbing at her face but insisted she didn’t need to take a break from her cross-examination.

Vardy has told the court this morning that she directed her agent to look at Coleen Rooney’s private Instagram posts after she was involved in a car crash.

The wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is continuing to give evidence at the High Court in her libel trial against Ms Rooney, the wife of former England captain Wayne.

The court was told how in a January 2019 exchange, Ms Vardy’s agent, Caroline Watt, asked her: “Am I imagining this or did you say yesterday that Coleen had crashed her Honda?” the court heard.

“She defo has ... Go in the Instagram,” Ms Vardy replied, according to court documents.

1652248800

The second day of the trial will begin at 10.30am today.

Rebekah Vardy’s cross examination by Coleen Rooney’s barrister is due to continue.

Watch this space for more updates as the trial resumes.

Lamiat Sabin11 May 2022 07:00
1652252897

Key takeaways from first day of trial

While we are waiting for the second day of the trial to start, here is a reminder of what happened yesterday when it kicked off:

Seven most explosive moments from first day of ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel trial

Footballers’ wives Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney meet face-to-face in the High Court

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 08:08
1652254713

‘It’s ...... Rebekah Vardy’s account’: Original post

A quick look at Coleen Rooney’s social media shows the original post is still there.

To save you scrolling back to 2019, here it is:

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 08:38
1652255493

Images from first day

Here are some images of both parties on the first day of the trial:

Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney depart the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday (Getty Images)
Members of the press photograph and film Coleen Rooney and her husband Wayne Rooney leaving the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday (Getty Images)
Members of the press photograph and film Rebekah Vardy leaving the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday (Getty Images)
Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 08:51
1652256933

Social media jumps to Peter Andre’s defence after surprise mention in trial

Many social media users have jumped to the defence of Peter Andre after he received a surprise mention in the trial.

Rebekah Vardy was asked in court yesterday about an interview about an alleged sexual encounter with the singer, with Coleen Rooney’s barrister reading out the headline: “Peter’s hung like a small chipolata, shaved, slobbery, lasts five minutes.”

Ellie Harrison has more:

Opinion: The ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial is already screamingly sexist

The ‘WAG’ label, referring to the wives and girlfriends of famous sportsmen, erases women’s identity beyond that of their male romantic partner

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 09:15
1652258913

Rebekah Vardy will ‘never forgive’ Rooney for ‘ruining’ pregnancy, court told

Before Rebekah Vardy takes the stand again, here is a reminder of what she told the court on the opening day:

Rebekah Vardy will ‘never forgive’ Rooney for ‘ruining’ pregnancy, court told

Mrs Vardy alleged that she had been made a ‘scapegoat’ by Coleen Rooney.

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 09:48
1652259633

Vardy denies she leaked stories

Rebekah Vardy also denied to the court she had leaked stories about Coleen Rooney to the press:

See more from the first day here:

Rebekah Vardy tells court she did not leak stories about Coleen Rooney

‘I have been called a leaker and it’s not nice,’ Mrs Vardy told the High Court.

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 10:00
1652260760

Rebekah Vardy arrives to court

Rebekah Vardy has arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice to begin a day of testimony.

She will take to the witness stand again for day two of her libel battle against fellow footballer’s wife Coleen Rooney.

(PA)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Holly Bancroft11 May 2022 10:19
1652261073

The ‘WAG’ label

Not long until the second day of the trial is expected to kick off now.

Before it starts, let’s take a quick look at this piece by Katie Edwards and her criticism of the term “WAG” to refer to the wife of a footballer.

“The term that erases women’s identity beyond that of their male romantic partner. Any indication of their own talent, business acumen, accomplishments, or career is subsumed by their relationship status,” she writes.

Find her take on the trial and how it is being discussed here:

Opinion: The ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial is already screamingly sexist

The ‘WAG’ label, referring to the wives and girlfriends of famous sportsmen, erases women’s identity beyond that of their male romantic partner

Zoe Tidman11 May 2022 10:24
1652261215

Rebekah Vardy, Wayne and Coleen Rooney arrive in the court room

Day two of Rebekah Vardy’s libel case against Coleen Rooney is about to begin.

Wife of Leicester City player Jamie Vardy, Rebekah, is wearing an all-black ensemble and is preparing to testify on the witness stand.

Coleen Rooney and her husband Wayne have taken their seats.

(PA)
Holly Bancroft11 May 2022 10:26

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in