Ant and Dec Pursue Legal Inquiry into Banksy Art Transactions
Ant and Dec have requested assistance from a High Court judge to obtain detailed information regarding transactions involving the purchase and sale of Banksy artworks. They allege that an intermediary involved in these deals took "secret and unauthorised profits."
The television presenters claim they paid £550,000 for a particular set of Banksy pieces, yet the seller reportedly received only £300,000. They are seeking clarification on the whereabouts of the remaining £250,000.
Additionally, the pair have expressed "similar concerns" about being deprived of "a substantial sum" from the sale of 22 other items, as was presented to the court on Tuesday.
Request for Court Order to Obtain Information
Ant and Dec have petitioned a judge to issue a court order compelling an art dealer to disclose information about these transactions, as well as details concerning the operations of a separate art consultant who acted on their behalf.
The presenters engaged this consultant, who remains unnamed and was referred to as X during court proceedings, to assist with buying, selling, and loaning artworks while they assembled a contemporary art collection.
They now seek to "uncover what really happened in relation to these transactions" and determine the destination of any missing funds, according to Harry Martin, representing Ant and Dec, during Tuesday's hearing.
Details of Transactions and Discrepancies
Martin explained that the consultant facilitated deals including the £550,000 acquisition of a set of six prints by Banksy. These prints depict model Kate Moss as actress Marilyn Monroe, styled in the manner of Andy Warhol.
As an example of a sale, Martin cited a Banksy work titled Napalm, which portrays nine-year-old Kim Phuc—known from a famous 1972 photograph of children fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnam War—depicted holding hands with Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
Martin stated that the consultant sold this piece for £13,000 but informed Ant and Dec they had received only £11,000, resulting in "a discrepancy of £2,000."
Involvement of Art Dealer and Firm
The presenters are seeking a disclosure order to obtain relevant information from art dealer Andrew Lilley and his company Lilley Fine Art Ltd. These parties were involved in transactions both purchasing artworks from and selling artworks to Ant and Dec, the court was informed.
While Lilley and his firm are not accused of any wrongdoing, Martin indicated they were "mixed up in the wrongdoing" and "involved in the flow of money."
Lilley has so far declined to provide information about the transactions, citing confidentiality concerns, but has stated he would comply with any court order, according to court reports.
Statements from Andrew Lilley
In a statement to , Lilley said he had been "caught up in this mess and it really has nothing to do with me."
"I was just purchasing art on what I thought was fair and market value, no idea what was going on in the background,"
"This is a matter for the courts now and between A&D [Ant and Dec] and the third party [X]."
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Judge Iain Pester indicated he would deliver a ruling on Wednesday regarding whether to order the disclosure of information and whether to lift an interim anonymity order protecting the identity of the consultant known as X.
