'I offered ex-wife £50m but I still had four years of grief'

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince tells Chris Blackhurst divorce settlement laws have to change after his former wife finished up with a smaller sum after disputing his initial financial offer

- Chris Blackhurst

Dale Vince is feeling vindicated. Not that he will be raising a glass or two. "I did all that when I was put under so much stress," he says wryly. Multi-millionaire Vince, 63, has had to stand back and watch a multitude of outlandish claims about his private life make lurid headlines as his divorce has wended its way through the courts. There has been great delight in the reporting of allegations of how the green energy tycoon, ecowarrior and major Labour donor flew in private jets, drank Dom Perignon champagne, bought designer clothing, drove powerful petrol-powered cars and holidayed on a luxury 56ft yacht.

His ex-wife Kate, 50, declared he was a man who had “no problem in participating in conspicuous consumerism” and claimed he was giving his money away to try and dodge paying her what she was rightly due.

This was all vigorously denied by Vince. He now claims to be vindicated as a judge has made a financial settlement which sees his ex walk away with less than he first offered her four years ago. A relieved but also frustrated Vince shakes his head at the madness of it all. “It’s caused four years of grief. The whole thing has been a waste of time and life, not to mention the court’s time.”

Kate was demanding four houses with swimming pools – he already had given her one, the beautiful gothic mansion that was their home, on a hill overlooking Stroud in Gloucestershire – as well as a £6m residence for her horses, £20,000 a month for clothes and £30,000 a month for holidays.

Mr Justice Cusworth said Vince should pay Kate £41.8m plus interest. She is now to receive three tranches of £13.94m, £14.49m and £15.08m. The first payment will be made by 30 April this year, with the next two to follow annually.