'He's an idiot': Bernie Ecclestone blasts daughter Petra's billionaire ex James Stunt as a High Court divorce judge grants her sole custody of their three children leaving her free to move to LA
- Judge in London told Petra she is free to emigrate to US and have sole custody
- But agreement has been reached for Mr Stunt to 'spend time with the children'
- The Ecclestone sisters put on a show of strength as they arrived at court today
Bernie Ecclestone has branded his daughter's billionaire ex 'an idiot' after she was granted permission to quit Britain and move to Los Angeles with her children.
The Formula One boss said James Stunt 'used to be an honourable person' as he welcomed the decision of a judge to allow his daughter Petra to emigrate to the US.
A judge told Ms Ecclestone that she would have sole custody of the three children she had with ex-husband Mr Stunt.
But the Central Family Court in London ruled that an agreement had been reached that Mr Stunt could 'spend time with the children'.
Petra Ecclestone leaves with father Bernie after the end of the custody hearing at the Family Division of the High Court this afternoon Copy to caption PMS transfer info
The millionairess (pictured left and right leaving this High Court this afternoon) was told she was free to emigrate to the United States and would have sole custody of the three children she had with ex-husband James Stunt
Petra Ecclestone (left) arrives at court in London today with her niece Sophia (also left) and sister Tamara (right)
Speaking outside the court, billionaire businessman Bernie Ecclestone told MailOnline: ‘I think James [Stunt] is an idiot.
‘I used to like James. He was a nice guy. He used to be an honourable person. But now he is an idiot.’
Mr Ecclestone said he was pleased with the outcome of the hearing in which his daughter Petra won custody of her three children.
And he questioned whether his daughter had emigrated to the United States for good.
He added: ‘I think it worked out as well as it should have done. They [the family] are alright. They will get on with their lives and forget about all this business.
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Petra is in good form. She is doing OK.'
In a brief public statement, Her Honour Judge Gillian Brasse told the court: 'There have been lengthy proceedings in relation to the arrangements following the preceding divorce of Petra and Mr Stunt.
'The financial matters between them were agreed last year. Also an agreement at the end of last year that Miss Ecclestone could relocate to Los Angeles with her children was agreed.'
Her Honour Judge Brasse added: 'After a hearing I've ordered that the children will live with their mother Miss Ecclestone and I will make an order as to how much time they can spend with their father.'
Petra's father, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone (pictured being driven away from the court today) , last night branded his former son-in-law James Stunt ‘an idiot’
![Speaking at the Central Family Court, the billionaire businessman (left and right) told MailOnline: ‘I think James [Stunt] is an idiot'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190517014654/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/30/18/48BCA74400000578-5330609-image-m-25_1517337735094.jpg)
![Speaking at the Central Family Court, the billionaire businessman (left and right) told MailOnline: ‘I think James [Stunt] is an idiot'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190517014654im_/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/30/18/48BCA74400000578-5330609-image-m-25_1517337735094.jpg)
Speaking at the Central Family Court, the billionaire businessman (left and right) told MailOnline: ‘I think James [Stunt] is an idiot'
Mr Stunt was not in court to hear that his children would relocate to Los Angeles with their mother, his ex-wife Petra.
Petra listened silently as Her Honour Judge Brasse delivered her lengthy ruling on the case.
Petra carried her three-year-old niece into the court, and was accompanied by Tamara (right)
The millionaire Ecclestone sisters put on a show of strength as they arrived at court today.
Flanked by well-dressed bodyguards, Tamara gave her support to big sister Petra on the final day of her divorce settlement hearing.
Tamara's daughter Sofia was also at the court to offer her support.
Wearing thick winter coats Petra appeared highly polished with her blonde hair tied up in a chignon, while Tamara let her brunette flowing locks hang free.
Petra was wearing a tight pencil shirt, a white bolero jacket, leopard print silk blouse, a camel-hair coat and black Stiletto heels.
The millionaire Ecclestone sisters put on a show of strength as they arrived at court today
The trio drank coffee and hot chocolate at a cafe across the road from the Central London court and browsed in a bookshop before the hearing.
Petra carried her three-year-old niece into the court.
The warring former couple of Petra and Mr Stunt had been back and forth to court for 12 months while they geared up for the £5.5billion divorce battle.
But when their legal teams came before a judge in October, it emerged lawyers had agreed what is believed to be one of Britain's biggest ever divorce settlements.
James Stunt (left, file picture) was not in court to hear that his children would relocate to Los Angeles with their mother, his ex-wife Petra (right, with Sophia)
'The Manor': Opulent LA mansion valued at £158 million where Petra Eccleston can now bring her children
'The Manor', in Los Angeles, was custom-built in the late 1980s by and for late television titan Aaron Spelling
Petra Ecclestone's £158million mansion in Los Angeles was expected to be just one of the assets she and Mr Stunt would fight over.
However, Petra and Mr Stunt have vowed to be 'firm friends'.
The sprawling LA Mansion - known as 'The Manor' - was sold to Petra in 2011 for $85 million (£60.14 million).
It was custom-built in the late 1980s by and for late television titan Aaron Spelling.
When Petra moved into the opulent property, it boasted a humidity controlled silver storage closet, doll museum , in-built barber shop, gift-wrapping rooms, catering kitchen, professional screening room, wine cellar, gym and tanning room.
Petra put The Manor on the market last year for $200 million (£141.5 million), but the millionaires remains the owner
The estate's grounds include a swimming pool with pool house, tennis court, extensive formal gardens — some of which are on the roof of a garage structure, a citrus orchard, koi pond and a soccer-pitched sized swathe of lawn.
Petra put The Manor on the market last year for $200 million (£141.5 million), but the millionairess remains the owner.
Petra's rumoured new flame is a luxury used car salesman who was first photographed with Petra in November weeks after her acrimonious £5.5bn divorce from bullion dealer James.
Sam, 34, from Harlow, in Essex, is thought to have been introduced to the mother-of-three by his close friend Jay.
He has grown close to Petra in recent months and late last year he enjoyed a sunshine break to Dubai with Petra, Tamara and Jay.
The out-of-court settlement meant a two-day public hearing to decide who should get what after their split was avoided.
Petra and Mr Stunt had been expected to fight over their £158million mansion in Los Angeles and a Grade II-listed home in London's Chelsea, worth up to £100million.
At a hearing last year, a court was told Mr Stunt had signed a prenuptial agreement worth £16million.
The pair had hired some of the country's most high profile divorce lawyers to represent them as they fought over how to divide their wealth.
Petra and Mr Stunt are pictured in London in July 2015, before their big money divorce battle
Petra's lawyers instigated an earlier hearing to force Mr Stunt to move out of their 14-bedroom home in Chelsea, West London.
However, Petra and Mr Stunt have vowed to be 'firm friends'. In recent months, Petra has been linked to a friend of Tamara's husband Jay Rutland, Sam Palmer.
The duo were first spotted together in November, enjoying a stroll around London with her twin sons.
It has been claimed the luxury car salesman and Petra have grown 'close' and even enjoyed a break to Dubai with Tamara and Mr Rutland three months ago.
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