Johnny Depp has been locked away in a plush hotel suite dining alone while his ex-wife Amber Heard has been enjoying London nightlife with a powerful posse of women who are supporting her through the high-profile libel trial currently taking place.
Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, and executive editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article which referred to him as a ‘wife beater’ with Heard the key witness to prove that he subjected her to a campaign of physical and emotional abuse.
Since going into the witness box on Tuesday Depp has been returning from court alone and heading straight to his £2,000 per night luxury hotel suite.
He has been ordering room service which he eats alone while watching television and goes to bed by 11pm so that he is fresh for the next day.
Rules prevent Depp from discussing the case with anybody while he is giving evidence and the Hollywood actor has been forced to remain silent and aloof of everybody he knows for fear that he may accidentally discuss his libel claim against The Sun.
Heard on the other hand has been partying with a ‘fellowship’ of glamorous women, dubbed ‘team Heard’ who are rallying around her for the trial, making grand entrances each morning for the start of proceedings and organising a string of social outings.
Johnny Depp has been locked away in a plush hotel suite dining alone while Amber Heard has been enjoying London nightlife with a powerful posse of women who are supporting her through the high-profile libel trial currently taking place (pictured, leaving court yesterday)
Last night Amber Heard and some of her team including her sister Whitney were seen at Oswald’s, a plush Mayfair drinking club and t over the next few days, their itinerary includes dinners, shopping trips and visits to other exclusive drinking dens
Heard’s sister Whitney was at club Oswald’s in Mayfair, London with her until around 1.45am
Last night Heard and some of her team were seen at Oswald’s, a plush Mayfair drinking club and t over the next few days, their itinerary includes dinners, shopping trips and visits to other exclusive drinking dens.
A source told MailOnline: ‘The trial has been quite a contrasting experience for both of them. While Johnny has been alone and looking quite miserable, Amber appears to be having a great time. She looks really glamorous and happy. It’s as if she’s on a girl’s holiday.
‘The women she’s with have really got behind her. They’re strong, positive women who are delighted with the way things have gone in court so far. They’ve already had a few minor victories and are optimistic that they’re going to have more and are determined to have a good time while they are in London.’
Rules prevent Depp from discussing the case with anybody while he is giving evidence and the Hollywood actor has been forced to remain silent and aloof of everybody he knows for fear that he may accidentally discuss his libel claim against the Sun.
Depp has not even called his beloved children for fear that the case might crop up in the conversation. He is expected to be in the witness box until tomorrow.
Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, and executive editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article which referred to him as a ‘wife beater’ with Heard the key witness to prove that he subjected her to a campaign of physical and emotional abuse
The source added: ‘It’s not like Johnny to be this quiet and it’s very hard for him to plough a lonely furrow because normally he’s the life and soul of the party. But he doesn’t want to take any risks with his case and accidentally discussing it.
‘It’s quite challenging giving evidence for so long and this is probably the closest he’s come to clean living for a long time.’
Depp is even avoiding his American lawyer and confidant Adam Waldman in case they accidentally discuss the trial. The two men are staying in the same hotel but have not exchanged a single word since Depp took to the stand.
‘Team Heard’ is made up of her sister Whitney, girlfriend Bianca Butti, American attorney Elaine Bredehoft and Heard’s assistant Sara, whose last name is not known. The powerful line up is completed by her British legal advisor Jenifer Robinson, a high-flying barrister who also represents Julian Assange.
Amber Heard has arrived at the High Court today with her sister Whitney (wearing a green covering) after going out on the town with her until the early hours of this morning on the third day of Johnny Depp’s blockbuster libel trial in London
Heard arrived at the High Court on Tuesday holding hands with sister Whitney Heard (left), lawyer Jennifer Robinson (next to her right) and girlfriend Bianca Butti (right)
Heard was photographed leaving Oswald’s, where bottles of wine cost hundreds of pounds, just after 1.40am with her sister Whitney and other friends.
Depp’s ex-wife waved as she left the venue, which is owned by millionaire Robin Birley while Whitney, who is to give evidence during the trial, was photographed wearing a blue jumpsuit.
All of ‘Team Heard,’ except for Ms Robinson, who lives in London, are staying in plush hotel, not far from where Depp is also temporarily based. The women have lined up a number of social outings over the next few days, including dinners, shopping trips and visits to private members clubs.
Once Heard starts to give evidence, which is expected to be late next week, she will have to restrict her communication with her ‘team’ and curtail socialising with them.
‘Team Heard’ arrived from the US two weeks before the start of the trial, so that they could quarantine. They stayed at a secret location in the countryside before relocating to London for the start of the trial.