Andrew Tate requested written confirmation from prosecutors that he would not face arrest upon his return to the UK for a civil lawsuit alleging rape, as revealed in a recent court session.
The legal representatives for Tate, a controversial figure known for his misogynistic views, submitted this request last year. Tate, along with his brother Tristan, faces a total of ten criminal charges and is currently under investigation by multiple authorities.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) rejected Tate’s request, which was made alongside his brother, who were both charged in May with offenses including rape and sexual assault. A statement from the CPS, referenced in a witness account provided to the high court by the victims’ attorney, indicated, “There is no reason for the CPS to withdraw the warrants to allow your clients to return to the UK to give evidence in the civil proceedings. Consequently, the CPS cannot guarantee that should either of your clients voluntarily return to the UK, they would not be arrested.”
Matt Jury, the attorney for the four women involved in the civil case, expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of Tate returning to the UK, citing his public remarks as evidence. This concern is further underscored by the fact that both he and his brother have formally requested to provide testimony remotely from the United States.
This information was disclosed during a preliminary hearing linked to a civil lawsuit in which four women accuse the Tate brothers of offenses including rape, coercive control, and assault. The brothers have denied all allegations.
Vanessa Marshall KC, representing Andrew Tate, stated in written documents that the police currently possess an extensive amount of evidence, including over half a million chat and SMS records, numerous photographs, thousands of audio and video files, along with various messages and emails.
The Tates are pursuing a stay in the civil proceedings, arguing that the developments in the high court could significantly impact their ongoing criminal case. Mrs. Justice Lambert is expected to provide guidance on Wednesday, having indicated that the trial scheduled for June would be postponed, with plans for a “regrouping” in July and potentially a more detailed hearing prior to Christmas.
Additionally, Gerard Boyle KC, representing the Tates in the civil matter, noted that the reinvestigation of criminal allegations, including rape, made by three women in 2015 would not be confined to existing evidence and could lead to new witnesses and alleged victims coming forward.
In a separate case, the CPS has charged the Tates with a total of 21 criminal offenses, which encompass charges such as rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking.
Andrew Tate faces ten charges, including rape, bodily harm, human trafficking, and exploitation through prostitution, tied to three alleged victims. In contrast, Tristan Tate is facing eleven charges, including similar offenses, associated with one alleged victim. Both brothers have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Furthermore, they were charged in Romania with offenses related to human trafficking, rape, and the establishment of an organized criminal group following their arrest in December 2022.
The CPS has stated that the brothers will not be extradited to the UK until the resolution of their ongoing criminal matters. Initially, Romanian authorities detained the brothers as a preventive measure, but a Bucharest appellate court later modified this to house arrest in 2023, and subsequently allowed for regular police check-ins.
Last month, these restrictions were lifted, granting the brothers the freedom to leave Romania. The high court noted that Andrew Tate is currently in the United States but plans to return to Romania, where they continue to assert their innocence.
The high court also acknowledged that Andrew Tate is initiating legal action against the CPS, with the first hearing scheduled for June 23. This case pertains to the CPS’s decision to pursue charges based on an investigation by Bedfordshire police known as Operation Moonwalk.
