Coleen Rooney has issued a lengthy statement after Rebekah Vardy lost her court case against her.
Mrs Vardy lost the "Wagatha Christie" libel battle against Mrs Rooney over a viral social media post, after a High Court judge found it was "substantially true". In the October 2019 post, Mrs Rooney, 36, said she had carried out a months-long "sting operation" and accused Mrs Vardy, 40, of leaking "false stories" about her private life to the press.
The wife of former England star Wayne Rooney publicly claimed Mrs Vardy's account was the source behind three stories in The S*n newspaper featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram stories. Mrs Vardy, who is married to Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, denied leaking stories to the media and sued her fellow footballer's wife for libel, while Mrs Rooney defended the claim on the basis her post was "substantially true".
READ MORE: Every word of the judge's decision as Coleen Rooney wins Wagatha Christie case against Rebekah Vardy
Both women attended a week-long trial at the High Court in London in May, which attracted a huge amount of press attention. In a much-anticipated ruling on Friday, Mrs Justice Steyn found in Mrs Rooney's favour and dismissed the claim against her.
Following the verdict, Coleen Rooney issued a statement. She said: "Naturally, I am pleased that the judge has found in my favour with her judgment today.
"It was not a case I ever sought or wanted. I never believed it should have gone to court at such expense in times of hardship for so many people when the money could have been far better spent helping others.
"Both before and after my social media posts in October 2019, I made every effort to avoid the need for such a drawn out and public court case. All my attempts to do so were knocked back by Mrs (Rebekah) Vardy.
"This left me with no alternative but to go through with the case to defend myself and to end the repeated leaking of my private information to The S*n.
"These leaks from my private Instagram account began in 2017. They continued for almost two years, intruding on my privacy and that of my family. Although I bear Mrs Vardy no ill-will, today's judgment makes clear that I was right in what I said in my posts of October 2019.
"Finally, I would like to thank all of my legal team, my family, friends and everyone who supported me, including the public, through this difficult and stressful time."
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