Tate civil case ‘paused’ after Hertfordshire police re-opens sexual abuse claims investigation
Four women are suing the former professional kickboxer
A High Court case against Andrew Tate has been “paused”, a judge has said, after a police force re-opened an investigation into sexual abuse allegations made against the influencer.
Four women are suing the former professional kickboxer, over allegations of sexual violence, including that he grabbed one by the throat on several occasions in 2015, assaulted her with a belt and pointed a gun at her face.
Tate’s barristers previously told the High Court in London that there was “total denial of wrongdoing”.
Three of the women are bringing the civil case after they reported allegations of rape and sexual assault against Tate to Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2014 and 2015.
The case was concluded in 2019 and in September last year, the Crown Prosecution Service said the legal test to bring criminal charges had not been met after a further review.
However, last week, Hertfordshire Constabulary said it will re-investigate the alleged offences.
The force said in a statement: “We are committed to doing what is right and ensuring that allegations of such a serious nature are properly, thoroughly and fully investigated, no matter how long ago they occurred.”
It came after the Independent Office for Police Conduct said a former detective constable could face gross misconduct proceedings for “alleged failures to properly investigate” the case.
A High Court hearing on Monday was expected to deal with several preliminary matters in the civil case, including Tate’s bid for documents from the police, ahead of the trial due to begin in June.
However, judge Mrs Justice Lambert adjourned the hearing because of the reinvestigation.
She said: “I don’t think it is appropriate to continue with the menu of topics on the agenda today.
The judge added: “This litigation is paused until we have an update as to the future of the reinvestigation.”
Anne Studd KC, for the claimants, asked for the trial date to be kept.
She said: “There is a very real prospect that the CPS won’t charge Mr Tate and we lose our slot.”
The case will return to the London court for a hearing on May 5.