After nearly three “difficult and stressful” years, Coleen Rooney was finally given the vindication she wanted after a judge ruled in her favour in her libel trial with Rebekah Vardy.
As you’ll well know, back in October 2019, Coleen accused fellow WAG Becky of leaking stories about her - something Becky denied and subsequently sued Coleen for libel. But last week, after an explosive court case in May, a judge found Coleen’s allegations to be “substantially true”, and Becky may now face a bill of up to £3million as she covers her and Coleen’s eye-watering legal costs.
And while Coleen never wanted the case to come to court – claiming that several bids to settle were “knocked back” by Becky – she’s thrilled with the outcome and is now planning a big party to celebrate. “Coleen thought the whole case was unnecessary and was very disappointed when it went to court, but she didn’t have a choice because Becky was suing her,” our insider says.
“She was always confident in her case, but obviously there is always a bit of doubt when it comes to the courts, so she was elated when she heard the verdict. It’s such a relief that it’s all over and she can get on with her life. And she wants to throw a big party this summer at her new Cheshire mansion to say thank you to everyone who has supported her. She knows a lot of people thought she was stupid for going through with it, but she believed she was right and wanted to be vindicated. Now, she wants to reward everyone who stood by her with a lavish party, which will also double up as a housewarming party – she wants to go all out.”
Coleen – who has sons, Kai, 12, Klay, nine, Kit, six, and four-year-old Cass with husband Wayne – recently moved into the family’s £20million mega-mansion, but she didn’t want to do any celebrating until the case with Becky, 40, was over. In her ruling, the judge praised 36-year-old Coleen’s evidence as “honest and reliable”, while labelling Becky’s as “manifestly inconsistent… evasive or implausible”.
Neither Coleen or mum-of-five Becky were in court to hear the news and were instead told just moments before the judge made her ruling public. Coleen – who was at home in Cheshire with Wayne, who jetted back from his new job in the US to be by her side – gave a statement saying she was “naturally pleased” and wished Becky “no ill will”. She added, “It was not a case I ever sought or wanted.”
Naturally, her rival was left upset by the judgement. The wife of Leicester City striker Jamie said, “I am extremely sad and disappointed at the decision the judge has reached. It is not the result that I had expected, nor believe was just. I brought this action to vindicate my reputation and am devastated by the judge’s finding.” However, she won’t
appeal the decision.
Now, Coleen is just keen to get on with her life, even though she is at the centre of a bidding war to tell her side of the story. “Coleen is keen to draw a line under this now and move on,” we’re told. “She just wants to have a fun summer with her friends and family, and really not worry about anything. She knows everyone wants her to speak out, but she’s not sure if she wants to do that just yet. She’s already got a documentary in the works with Netflix and she may give one or two interviews.
“But for now, she’ll put her head down and get on with being a mum and wife. She’s just glad this is finally all over after more than two years of worry and stress.”