Katie Price has revealed she is “struggling to get legal representation” as she appeared in court today following her arrest at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The mother-of-five appeared before a judge at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday, August 9.
When the judge asked Katie if she had a copy of the draft order, Katie spoke via a video link and told him, “I haven’t got legal representation.”
Katie revealed in the hearing that she is struggling to get legal representation, and said: “I’ve tried to get legal advice, but I’ve been charged £50,000 upfront.”
She explained, “Obviously, I pay 40% of what I earn during bankruptcy, and they want me to pay tax and VAT.”
“It doesn’t leave me with money to pay £50,000 upfront for legal representation. I’m finding it difficult. I can’t get legal aid as I earn – I don’t know what to do.”
Following her appearance on August 9, Katie Price will next appear in court on August 27.
She told the judge she had other commitments related to other court matters that date but would “move her schedule” around.
The 46-year-old was told that she would have to attend a public examination and all the dates—“no ifs or buts.”
As the judge spoke to Katie, she was told: “These undertakings are undertakings to the court so if you break any of them you will be brought back into custody. This is a serious matter. Do you understand?”
Katie replied: “Yes I understand. Thank you.”
Katie was bailed just hours after she was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport on Thursday evening.
The former glamour model was arrested upon her return to the UK from Turkey, after failing to appear in court.
Last month, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Katie after she failed to attend a hearing relating to her bankruptcy.
The former glamour model was declared bankrupt for a second time in March over an unpaid tax bill of £761,994.05 – having first been declared bankrupt in 2019.
In a statement shared on Instagram at the time, Katie said she was “aware of the severity” of her financial situation.
She wrote: “Whilst I’m currently aware of the severity of my current personal financial situation with my ongoing bankruptcy, I am today shocked that whilst away working for a documentary on corrective surgeries that, I should find myself yet again headline news.”
“The media in my opinion once again are trying to cause continued humiliation to myself and family. “There are far greater and more pressing issues going on around the world that are more important and I’m sure most people are bored reading stories that are constantly misrepresented.”
She continued: “I have I am continuing to to cooperate with the relevant people on matters to the best of my ability which will be addressed after my return from work.”
“Despite consistent stories trying to humiliate me on my personal misfortunes, I am neither embarrassed or ashamed.”
“I own my situation and I am trying my best to work my out out of it and put matters right. I have to continue in my work in order to satisfy these bankruptcy orders which is all I am trying to do right now. I am however not running from matters and will continue to take matters with great seriousness.”
“I am doing the best I cam to rectify things during extremely challenging times. Once again I would like to highlight there are far greater and more news worthy stories.”
Katie added: “I will continue to work on my mental health disorders for the sake of my self and my family and do the best I can.”
At the hearing last month, Katie was due to face questions about her finances in the specialist bankruptcy court in London from barristers representing the trustee of her two bankruptcies.
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Catherine Burton issued her arrest warrant and said: “It is in my judgment necessary that the court issue a warrant for Ms Price’s arrest.”
“She has no real excuse in failing to attend today’s hearing. The reason for her absence today is irrelevant.”
Judge Burton said that an arrest warrant was not issued lightly but that Ms Price had offered only piecemeal cooperation and failed to provide the most basic information about her bankruptcies.
At a hearing in February, Katie was ordered to pay the trustee 40% of her monthly income from the adult entertainment website OnlyFans for the next three years in relation to her first bankruptcy.
She was then declared bankrupt for a second time in March due to an unpaid tax bill worth more than £750,000 (€890,000) owed to HM Revenue & Customs.
