Six-time grand slam champion Boris Becker is seeking to halt legal proceedings launched against him with the help of a role he was appointed to in April.
The 50-year-old is currently experiencing bankruptcy proceedings against him. Last year a London court declared him bankrupt following a case brought forward by Arbuthnot Latham & Co. A private bank. Arbuthnot Latham & Co took legal action against the former world No.1 over his failure to repay a debt that dated back to 2015.
In a fresh development, Becker is now challenging the case by saying he has diplomatic immunity. In April he was appointed a sports attaché for the Central African Republic. Representing the country in the European Union. Meaning that he can’t be subjected to legal action without the consent of both the Central African Republic and the British foreign secretary, Boris Johnson.
“The decision to commence bankruptcy proceedings against me was both unjustified and unjust. A bunch of anonymous and unaccountable bankers and bureaucrats pushed me into a completely unnecessary declaration of bankruptcy, which has inflicted a whole heap of damage on me, both commercially and professionally, and on those close to me.” Becker said in a statement obtained by The Financial Times.
“I have now asserted diplomatic immunity as I am in fact bound to do, in order to bring this farce to an end, so that I can start to rebuild my life. Once this gravy train for the suits has been stopped in its tracks, my lawyers will turn to the question of compensation. I will be coming after the people who forced this process through to hold them publicly accountable for their actions.”
Becker has enlisted the help of prestigious British lawyer Ben Emmerson to fight his case. Emmerson has extensive experience in international law and was a special rapporteur for the United Nations on terrorism and human rights between 2011-2017. He also helped draft the 1998 Human Rights Act into British law.
Becker’s financial woes have been in the public eye for quite some time. It was recently revealed that he is selling off trophies and memorabilia to pay off his debts. Including the Renshaw Cup trophy, which was presented to him in 1985 after he won Wimbledon at the age of 17. Becoming the youngest man in history to do so.
According to The Daily Mail, Becker’s debt amounts to roughly £54 million. There has been no comment from Arbuthnot Latham & Co regarding his diplomatic immunity claim.
