Now Fergie is sued for £20k over bid to ban orphans book
Now Fergie is sued for £20k over bid to ban orphans book
By DANIEL BOFFEY
Last updated at 10:01 PM on 8th May 2010
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A television presenter has launched a legal claim against the Duchess of York for nearly £20,000 over her failed attempt to ban a book they worked on together.
Two years ago, Chris Rogers travelled with Sarah Ferguson and her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie to Turkey for an undercover documentary for ITV, Duchess And Daughters: Their Secret Mission.
The programme investigated orphanage brutality. Mr Rogers wrote a book about the trip, initially with the Duchess’s co-operation.
Exposed: Chris Rogers with Beatrice and the Duchess during filming
But after the programme’s screening the Turkish authorities requested the Duchess’s extradition to face prosecution amid claims she had travelled and filmed illegally.
She subsequently hired the Queen’s lawyers Farrer & Co to stop the book’s publication, citing a breach of copyright.
Last December Mr Rogers met with the Duchess’s lawyers at Buckingham Palace to agree an out-of-court settlement.
But her lawyers then failed to lodge the necessary paperwork at the High Court to seal their agreement in law.
As a result Mr Rogers went ahead and published the book, called Under Cover, in March.
He has now lodged an application at the High Court known as an ‘Unless Order’ to recoup costs he lost during the legal row.
In the claim, lodged at the High Court on Thursday, he demands that the Duchess either sees through her original legal action against him or withdraws it and compensates him for the money he has spent fighting her.
It is understood the Duchess was put under pressure from the Palace to block the book after the Turkish extradition request.
The Duchess has 14 days to respond to Mr Rogers’ application, which comes at a difficult time for Prince Andrew’s former wife.
Last month it emerged that the Duchess was being taken to the High Court for debts of more than £200,000 by leading Mayfair solicitors Davenport Lyons.
Mr Rogers hopes to recoup £17,000 in legal fees plus court costs.
He said: ‘I am fighting for freedom of the Press and I am fighting for the right
of millions of children to have their story heard.
‘I had to put my house on the market as I struggled to pay the legal bills. But it is very important for me to point out that Sarah and I remain the best of friends and we both remain committed to protecting the rights of children.’
Meanwhile, The Mail on Sunday has learned the extradition request was dropped last week by Turkey.
A Royal source said: ‘It’s all gone quiet on that front and Sarah is relieved. For many months now nothing has been mentioned about the whole debacle. She has endured a few hard months with her business empire in difficulties.’
A spokeswoman for the Duchess declined to comment.