Dr Proudman instructed by Melanie Bridgen at Nelsons Law represented Kate Griffiths MP in long-running family proceedings. After a contentious fact-finding hearing, the family court found that Kate Griffiths MP has been raped whilst asleep, domestically abused and coercively controlled by her ex-husband Andrew Griffiths. Ms Griffiths argued that Mr Griffiths posed a risk of harm to their child. Mr Griffiths is a disgraced former MP and Minister who abused Ms Griffiths behind closed doors. He told her that no one would believe her because he is an MP. He was also the subject of a ‘sexting scandal’ after he sent thousands of sexual and violent messages to two female constituents.
Journalists, Louise Tickle and Brian Farmer made an application for the judgment to be published with their names attached. It was argued that it is in the public interest for the public to know what a powerful man was doing to his wife in private. Ms Griffiths supported publication; she opposed the continued silencing of her and wanted to be free to speak. Mr Griffiths opposed publication. Mrs Justice Lieven sitting in the High Court supported publication and she held that the court should be slow to be used as a means of control to silence women. Mr Griffiths appealed to the Court of Appeal and after a substantive hearing, the appeal was refused.
Today the judgments are made public for the world to see. Ms Griffiths says that she feels “free”.
The case continues. Ms Griffiths has appealed a decision of the family court that the child should have supervised contact with Mr Griffiths. In addition, she was ordered to subsidise her rapist’s contact costs. Dr Proudman argued that this is a form of financial control and abuse ordered by the family courts. A victim should never subsidise their abuser. The Judgment is awaited.
Dr Proudman is honoured to have represented Ms Griffiths MP.
The Judgments are here: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/griffiths-v-tickle/
Related barristers: Dr Charlotte Proudman
