Television presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have initiated a High Court legal bid to discover the identity of an unnamed third party involved in the sale of their valuable Banksy artworks.
The Core of the Legal Claim
The popular I'm A Celebrity... hosts sold several pieces from their joint art collection, which included works by the elusive street artist Banksy, several years ago. The sale was conducted through a third-party sales representative. The central aim of their legal action is to uncover who that intermediary was.
To achieve this, their legal team is applying for what is known as a 'Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust order'. This type of court order would compel the purchaser of the art, a man named Andrew Lilley, to hand over relevant documentation that might reveal the sales rep's details. It is important to note that Mr Lilley is not accused of any wrongdoing and is said to be willing to assist the presenters.
Navigating Data Protection Hurdles
Despite Mr Lilley's reported cooperation, both parties must await a ruling from the High Court due to data protection laws. Ant and Dec have stated they are prepared to cover Mr Lilley's associated legal costs. Once the identity of the sales representative is uncovered, the TV stars are expected to launch further legal proceedings.
According to legal filings seen by The Sun, the presenters' lawyer, Tim Maxwell, stated: "There is a real prospect that the information sought will lead to the location or preservation of the assets in question." While the exact sum being sought remains confidential, it is described as substantial.
A "Good Arguable Case" of Wrongdoing
Documents related to the Norwich Pharmacal application, as reported by The Daily Mail, assert that the duo have a "good arguable case that there has been wrongdoing". The claim further argues that the applicants need the order to take action against the alleged wrongdoers and that there are "good grounds to conclude" the money or assets in question belong to them.
The legal move comes shortly after it was revealed that Declan Donnelly is expanding his property portfolio. He has purchased a third home on the same West London street where he already owns a £7 million mansion and a neighbouring house bought three years prior for £2.25 million. Ant McPartlin previously lived on the same street but moved following his divorce; he now resides in a £6 million home in South West London with his wife Anne-Marie.
