Hurley hits back: I'm no marriage-wrecker
Liz has poured scorn on Valentina's (Arun's wife) claim that she stolen Arun from her. Arun has supported Liz.
The verbal bouts between Elizabeth Hurley and lover Arun Nayar's estranged wife Valentina Pedroni are now getting acrimonious. In the latest round, Liz has poured scorn on Valentina's claim that she stole Arun from her.
Speaking through her sister Kate, Liz said, she started her relationship with him after his marriage was over. She also denied that she was ever Valentina's friend. "Elizabeth is horribly upset by people saying she's a marriage-wrecker," Kate told a daily.
"It is completely untrue. Arun was separated from his wife and seeking a divorce when Elizabeth was introduced to him.
"Elizabeth had never even met Arun's estranged wife at this time, so it's a complete mystery why Valentina is pretending they were great friends."
Nayar had been silent so far. But, now he has allowed his friend, financier Alessandro Tome, to speak on his behalf. "Arun is an old friend of mine. I introduced him to Elizabeth in London last December. We had several dinners with my wife Katy.
"Arun had definitely split up with his wife Valentina when I intoroduced him to Elizabeth. Contrary to other reports, Elizabeth had never met Valentina at this stage.
"There is nothing illicit in Arun's and Elizabeth's relationship. Arun did not leave his wife for her. Valentina did not introduce Elizabeth to Arun; she knew Arun was seeing Elizabeth before they were photographed publicly (at Dior fashion show in Paris)."
The friend added: "Valentina is also a friend of mine and Elizabeth met her at my apartment before Christmas. Elizabeth met Valentina again at St. Mortiz over New Year, and they discussed the situation amicably."
But amicable feelings, if they actually were, have evaporated totally now. Pedroni is relishing the fact that under Italian laws, Liz will have to wait three years before she can marry Arun.
Friends of Pedroni say that she is resigned to the fact that her relationship with Arun is over, but she is quite gleeful that Liz cannot become a bride for a long time.
They also say that while Arun has filed divorce proceedings in Mumbai, the couple were only blessed there, which means the actual marriage took place in Italy. The real jurisdiction will thus be within Italy and its laws will apply.
But then, Arun and Liz can go to Las Vegas and get married there. It is, however, debatable whether that will make Arun a bigamist.
