Retired boxer Chris Eubank, of Brighton, is preparing for "gargantuan" phone hacking battle with News International

Chris Eubank at the High Court – Nick Ansell/PA Wire Chris Eubank at the High Court – Nick Ansell/PA Wire

Chris Eubank has said he’s preparing for a “gargantuan battle” against phone hacking.

The eccentric fighter told the High Court “Mrs Murdoch has a pretty good left hook so I am going to ask her to be gentle with me."

The former world champion took the ring at the High Court as part of a claim of phone hacking against News International, alleging the newspaper group destroyed his marriage and left him unable to care for his children.

But was told off by the judge for “grandstanding”. During the 14th case management conference before Mr Justice Vos Eubank said he was not accepting a "derisory offer" of £21,000 to settle his case.

Reading from notes in a room packed with around 100 lawyers and media, he said the newspaper group had "made a mockery of the justice system here in the UK".

Eubank persisted in holding the floor, despite interruptions by Dinah Rose QC, for News Group Newspapers, and the judge, who said that his resisted case was at a preliminary stage and it was not appropriate to try to negotiate in the face of the court.

Eubank persisted in saying that he was confident that evidence relating to his case would get in the public domain shortly and he looked forward to the "gargantuan battle" ahead of him.

'Derisory offer'

The judge said that his case, which is currently stayed pending trial of other actions, would be dealt with as part of the managed litigation at the appropriate time and he would ask NGN to keep him informed.

Eubank persisted, saying he was not accepting the group's "derisory offer" as they had taken everything away from him.

He said he was fighting on, alleging they had destroyed his marriage and he had been unable to care for his children.

The judge persisted: "There is more than one man and more than one woman here fighting News International so if you will take your seat."

Ms Rose objected to Eubank's comments about an offer but was told by the judge: "I tried to stop him grandstanding. What's done is done.”

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Comments(15)

Tailgaters Anonymous says...
4:57pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Recently wondered where this gentleman had been since attempting to drive a truck to the front of 10 Downing Street!

John Steed says...
5:13pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Tailgaters Anonymous wrote:
Recently wondered where this gentleman had been since attempting to drive a truck to the front of 10 Downing Street!
Nice to see Ewbank hasnt lost the ability to perform to the crowd, even if it is an apparently unapreciative audience of peguins and hacks.

Jetsamandflotsam says...
5:23pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Who is paying his legal bill?
Is it us?

puddingandpi says...
5:50pm Mon 18 Mar 13

He's skint, that's what this is all about! How pathetic, trying to blame his marriage break up on this.
.
He hasn't been humbled by his troubles, has he? Told off for grandstanding in court at his age, he needs to grow up.
.
But, who do you root for? Would it be better for Chris Eubank to win loads of cash off Rupert Murdoch, or better for Murdoch to win the case?
.
Which scumbag do you want most to lose?

Jetsamandflotsam says...
5:59pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Caught between a rock and a hard place on that one.
Although Murdock and his cronies have already been found out and are paying out hand over fist for their awful behaviour and are now known as the scum they are, i would still rather see Eubank loose this one, and very quickly if we are paying his legal bill.

Spx says...
6:22pm Mon 18 Mar 13

He's a breath of fresh air!

Thetruth666 says...
6:40pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Why are some of you so anti this man?

Morpheus says...
6:41pm Mon 18 Mar 13

How many years is it since his marriage broke up? His washing must be piling up and he has finally noticed his wife has left.

PETE OF QUEENS PARK says...
6:58pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Good on yer Chris

Ballroom Blitz says...
9:34pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Mr Eubankth is not one of my favourite people, but Rupert Murdoch and News International are worse than something you might find stinking and stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
So it's no contest. I hope Eubank gets millions from News International. They are the lowest scum imaginable.
Go Chris!!

Skidrow says...
12:14pm Tue 19 Mar 13

I hope Eubank wins millions. and that the Legal Aid service then claw it all back off him.
Alternatively if he is on a no win no fee deal with the barrister, I hope he loses.
If he wins & keeps the money he'll only waste it just like he did last time.

whereisthe...? says...
1:26pm Tue 19 Mar 13

So he 'grandstanded'. BIG deal. Not quite as bad as HACKING THE PHONES OF DEAD CHILDREN IS IT?

Pathetic 'judge/ justice'. Good on Eubank for fighting this!

Skidrow says...
1:42pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Relatives of dead children will not benefit from Eubank taking a few quid off Murdoch. Or will they Chris?

spa301 says...
3:00pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Murdoch v Eubank?
I'll take Eubank everytime.

Hove Actually says...
5:44pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Wow Chris Eubank can use a phone...
I saw him once bigging it up into his phone when no one was paying him attention when he shouted do you know who this is............. it started ringing

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