Ecclestone ‘tipped off by Sun reporter’

Published on 20/02/2013 09:38

A JOURNALIST warned socialite and model Tamara Ecclestone that a former fiance was trying to sell a story about her, a court heard yesterday.

Alex West, a Sun reporter, met Ms Ecclestone, the daughter of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, at a charity fund-
raiser a day after discussing 
the possible deal with Jakir Uddin, 20.

Uddin, a media studies student, was representing Derek Rose, 33, who dated Ms Ecclestone in 2002 when she was 17, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Mr West said the Sun received a call from Uddin on 13 November, 2011, alerting them to the possible kiss-and-tell story.

The journalist met Uddin at London’s Cumberland Hotel that day where Uddin played a video of Rose, who used to be called Jonathan Ketterman, talking about his relationship with the celebrity.

No deal was struck as Mr West needed to speak with Rose, but a confidentiality agreement was signed. Rose, of London, and Uddin, of Birmingham, deny blackmail. The trial continues.