Gordon Ramsay In Legal Battle With Father-In-Law Over Forged Signature

A forged signature is the latest news in an ongoing battle between Gordon Ramsay and his estranged father-in-law Christopher Hutcheson.

Chef Ramsay claims that Hutcheson used a ghostwriting machine and forged his signature as a guarantor on a big property deal that costs £640,000 or more than $1 million yearly rent for a pub owned by Gary Love. Ramsay also says that he did so without his knowledge, Telegraph UK reports.

Ramsay is now asking the High Court to declare that the guarantee does not legally bind him of anything. According to Jonathan Seitler QC who appeared in court in behalf of Ramsay, the signature “was not lawfully authorized.”

The forged signature is the latest issue surrounding Ramsay’s troubled relationship with the father of his wife Tana. Prior to their present relationship, Hutcheson served as a business manager in Ramsay’s group of companies. Based on the written documents submitted in court, Hutcheson was called a fraud who got “hundreds of thousands of pounds” from the company. He was dismissed from his position as a business manager in 2010, according to Mirror UK.

The court documents also said that Gordon Ramsay was led to believe that the automatic signature machine was only going to be used for merchandise, books, and cards.

“The key aspect is about Mr. Hutcheson’s authority. He has no general authority to act in personal matters.”

Reports say that Ramsay’s company has two ghostwriting machines that can automatically replicate his signature using a pen. They are used to sign merchandise and cookbooks.

Gary Love previously said that Ramsay’s allegations against Hutcheson is an attempt to back out of his commitment to rent the pub. In an interview last year, Love spoke of the issue.

“I don’t know how Gordon Ramsay has got the temerity to bring this claim which simply makes him look completely ridiculous.”

In 2010, after Hutcheson was alleged to have plundered more than £1 million from Gordon Ramsay Holdings, a lengthy legal battle ensued and ended in a settlement where Hutcheson was given £2 million. After the dispute, Gordon Ramsay discovered that there were several other documents containing his forged signature that he only came to know after Hutcheson left the company. Reports say that Ramsay’s wife Tana severed ties with her family. The ongoing case will continue in High Court.

[Image via Telegraph UK]