Sir Frederick Hugh Barclay

Hiroko, ex-wife owed £100m urges judge to jail Barclay

Sir Frederick Hugh Barclay
Sir Frederick Hugh Barclay

The ex-wife of Business tycoon Sir Frederick Hugh Barclay, former co-owner of The Ritz hotel of London, has called on  Sir  Jonathan Cohen, a judge to jail him, for contempt of court for reneging on the divorce settlement, in a written statement saying “ He has no respect for me or the court. His aim is simply to string things out, hiding behind a web of complex structures ( the initial purpose of which was the avoidance of tax) allowing our daughter Amanda to fund all his financial needs until one of other of us dies”. Sir Frederick was ordered to pay two £50 million lump sums to Lady Hiroko, 79, following the breakdown of their 34-year-old marriage.

He says he doesn’t have the money but she instated at the High Court yesterday that he did have the means to pay.

Sir Frederick and his twin brother Sir David  Rowat Barclay were among UK’s most high-profile businessmen, with interests including the Telegraph Media Group and links to the Channel Islands and Monaco. Sir David died in January last year.  Frederic Barclay received £800, 000, to settle the Ritz espionage case, the court told.

The Judge has criticised Sir Frederick saying he behaved in a reprehensible fashion when sold a luxury yacht and applied the equity for his own use.  Marcus Dearle, the Tycoon’s lawyer said, despite his best attempts Frederick had not yet been able to raise the lump sums. He added he was currently being financially supported by his daughter, Amanda, by way of a loan and payment by way of gifts. Lady Hiroko is, however, seeking owed maintenance payments as well as legal fees.