Just Stop Oil and Labour donor Dale Vince travelled by private jet, drank champagne and ‘had no problem in participating in conspicuous consumerism’, his ex-wife told the High Court yesterday.
Kate Vince questioned her former husband’s public commitment to a sustainable lifestyle, saying periods of their marriage had been marked by ‘an exceptionally high standard of living’ including luxury international travel, top-of-the-range petrol cars and designer clothing.
She denied she was using their High Court divorce hearing to humiliate her ex-husband, a £5million Labour donor and green energy entrepreneur estimated to be worth £100 million who has given high-profile support to environmental action groups Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.
In her written evidence, Mrs Vince, 50, said: ‘It is not correct that Dale has made it his life’s mission to lead a low-impact life since the early 1980s.
‘Although he had an interest in sustainability, he had no problem participating in conspicuous consumerism.
‘He travelled by private jet, drank imported champagne and wine, and went on multiple international holidays.’
A stack of discarded cardboard boxes from purchases outside their home was nicknamed ‘the cardboard mountain’, she said. ‘It was excessive consumerism and we were very much part of it.’
She told the court they had taken a helicopter ride on their wedding day and had flown on a private jet on two occasions, travelled in first class or business, and owned a 56ft luxury yacht.
Dame Emma Thompson (left), Dale Vince (centre) and Caroline Lucas (right) during a Restore Nature Now protest in central London
Mr Vince pictured with Kate Vince who questioned her former husband’s public commitment to a sustainable lifestyle
Mrs Vince said periods of their marriage had been marked by ‘an exceptionally high standard of living’ including luxury international travel (Stock image)
In his written evidence, Mr Vince, 63, said he had been inspired by the concepts of ‘lower consumption and greater sustainability’ in the 1980s, adding: ‘I have made it my life’s mission to lead a low-impact life ever since.’
Mr and Mrs Vince, who married in 2006 and were formally divorced earlier this week, are locked in a bitter court battle over the division of their wealth.
Lawyers for Mrs Vince are seeking a 50 per cent share of the couple’s assets, including the green energy firm Ecotricity.
In written submissions to the court, Lewis Marks KC, for Mr Vince, said: ‘Occasionally drinking champagne (even Dom Perignon) and recycling cardboard boxes, and even briefly owning a Range Rover or other petrol vehicles, taking two private jet flights in 21 years – the most recent in 2010 – or buying designer clothes, do not amount to the kind of opulence to which [Mrs Vince] now aspires.’
The court heard the former couple had spent around £2 million on accountants as part of their divorce battle.
The hearing continues.
