Irish developer Paddy McKillen was today refused permission to go back into the witness box and give further evidence in private in his ongoing court battle with the Barclay brothers over ownership of Coroin, the parent company of luxury hotels Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley.
McKillen, who has already given evidence, had argued that he should be entitled to return to the witness box in private to cover “personal financial matters”. However, this move was resisted by representatives from media organisations covering the case.
Dismissing McKillen’s application, David Richards J said that it came “nowhere near” overcoming the basic requirement for open justice.
McKillen claims that the Barclay brothers have used “dishonourable and unlawful behaviour” in a bid to increase their shareholding in the Maybourne Hotel Group’s parent company, Coroin Ltd . The Barclay brothers deny this allegation, and say that the case is designed to “embarrass” them and tarnish their reputations.
The trial continues.
