Celebrity Chef Embroiled in High Court Row

Well known chef Marco Pierre White and his estranged wife are currently in the High Court battling over money. 

Pierre's former partner, Matilde White, is asking the court to jail Mr White for failure to pay his alimony. By contrast Mr White says he cannot afford to pay and wants matters reviewing. Mr Justice Holman offered that both sets of arguments would be reviewed at further hearings to be held in the New Year. 

Pierre and Matilde, both in their 50s, married in 2000 and split over 10 years ago. 

The court heard that the pair had been locked together in litigation between 2008 and 20011. And as a consequence they had ran up bills in excess of £2million pounds with the suggestion that the current action would increase the overall cost of the divorce. 

The judge informed the court that Mr White, 58, had officially petitioned for divorce and consequently Mrs White had made a money claim. At previous hearings a less senior judge had ordered Mr White to make financial payments in anticipation of a final settlement being agreed.

The amount outstanding, which has not been disclosed, has yet to be received by Matilde. Consequently Pierre has stated that he can not afford to pay the outstanding alimony payments and has asked for the sums to be reviewed based on his ability to pay.

A judge is expected to rule on Mrs White's request for the courts to consider jailing Mr White for non payment of the formerly agreed sum.

Further hearings are expected in spring and early summer of 2020, if the pair could not agree a settlement.