Spice Girls

CHRISTIAN Horner tried to down play his sext scandal by telling Geri Halliwell his probe was over a “promotion row”, it was claimed.The Spice Girl, 51, presented a united front with the under-fire F1 Red Bull boss before and after ­yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell put on a united front as the pair was rocked by Horner’s sext leakCredit: GettyGeri shared an ­awkward hug and kiss with hubby HornerCredit: PAThe pair pictured tense as they walked along the paddockCredit: GettyThe pair’s public displays of affection came as sources close to Geri revealed how Horner reportedly first described the situation as a workplace row.The Sun learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandal. A Red Bull insider said she even approved of the woman working in Horner’s team, who later visited the couple’s home.The insider said: “When Christian first told her about the situation, he said he had fallen out with a woman who wanted promotion and more responsibility in Red Bull.Read more about Geri Halliwell”So he sold it to Geri as a workplace row and she accepted that. So Geri is now fuming that there appears to be more to this.”Sources added that furious Geri “read the riot act” to Horner but put on a brave face for the cameras — to her husband’s “relief”.Ginger Spice — in high heels, a white designer dress and clutching a Hermes bag — strode hand-in-hand with her ­husband to a hospitality area ahead of the race yesterday.Horner then leaned in to plant an ­awkward kiss on his wife’s cheek while putting his arm around her back.Most read in MotorsportAfter Red Bull’s world champ Max Verstappen stormed to victory in the season opener yesterday, Geri was clasped tightly by her husband as she flashed a forced-looking smile for the cameras.Horner gushed: “It’s been the best ­possible start to the season, very clinical and well-executed. The perfect start.”Christian Horner gives defiant seven-word statment amid sext leak storm after Bahrain Grand Prix winAn F1 paddock source said: “Christian is relieved and thrilled by Geri’s show of support.”He was really happy she had flown out and was with him.”They had time to discuss everything and she must have accepted his explanations to a point to turn out to support him.”But showbiz insiders said Ginger Spice had considered the future of her nine-year marriage to Horner, father of her seven-year-old son.She will most likely bunker down in the couple’s Cotswolds country home and make her decision behind closed doors, the Daily Mail reported.One close to the singer said: “A lot of people who know her are astonished by this show of support. There is absolutely no doubt she is furious and has read him the riot act over what has happened.“There are questions about her future with him and she let him know in no uncertain terms. It’s uncertain whether their marriage will survive but she is ­giving it a good chance by showing him support, at least in public.“But deep down she must be hurt, humiliated and very, very angry. However, this does at least show she hasn’t gone nuclear and run to the first expensive divorce lawyer she can find.”Geri’s worried pals also said she is said to have “felt like a fool” for trusting her “prince charming” husband Christian Horner after he played down sexting claims.Friends of the star reportedly stated it would “break her heart” to end things with Christian, whom she considers the “Prince Charming” she has waited for since she was a little girl.An insider said: “She acts on impulse a lot. She has a temper on her, that’s for sure, and doesn’t Christian know it.”But the question now that her inner circle is asking is whether Christian will be sent to the dog house for a few days or whether this is it for good.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun Horner tried to play down the scandal.They said: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage.””She worked hard for all of this, she jumped through hoops to get him, so will she dump him?”READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is understood Geri went “into meltdown” when she landed in Bahrain to discover Horner’s sext leak.Her concerned pals added she seemed “fragile” when they saw her a few weeks ago.Sources close to the Spice Girl said she is now evaluating the next steps in her marriage to HornerCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwellThe couple has been married for nine years and share a seven-year-old sonCredit: Instagram/gerihalliwellhornerGeri was said to have ‘felt like a fool’ for trusting her ‘prince charming’ husbandCredit: Instagram / gerihalliwellhornerHorner and Geri pose after the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza in 2014Credit: Getty More

GERI Halliwell is on a “denial mission” and today put on a PR performance, a body language expert claims.The Spice Girl, 51, was seen for the first time this afternoon – walking hand-in-hand with husband Christian Horner at the Bahrain Grand Pix.Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner put on a ‘PR performance’ today, a body language expert claimsCredit: GettyExpert Judi James says the couple were trying to show a ‘bond’Credit: PAThe Spice Girl was said to be forcing a ‘carefree smile’Credit: GettyWhile Christian appeared ‘awkward’, an expert saysCredit: APThe expert said the couple appeared to be on a ‘denial mission’Credit: GettyHer presence came as a surprise after ‘sexts’ allegedly sent by Horner were leaked while she was jetting to the Middle East to stand by his side. But with Horner’s hand on her back, Geri beamed as she greeted the mob of photographers awaiting her arrival. She could be seen smiling up at her husband, before apparently candidly chatting to him at the trackside. But the couple’s apparent solidarity was not sincere, a body language expert claims. Read more on motorsportJudi James said Horner appeared “awkward”, while Geri was wearing a smile that looked forced – in an attempt to seem carefree. Yesterday afternoon the content of WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by the Red Bull Racing boss were leaked. In one, Horner allegedly asked a woman for a “Santa PJ selfie” and regularly joked about Spanx – telling the woman she looks “attractive” in them.The body language expert said Geri and Horner today were trying to send “a message of denial and bonded resilience”. Most read in MotorsportShe said the ex-Spice Girl was wearing a smile as though she was “posing for a cataloge shoot”. Judi told The Sun: “That in turn suggests she’s putting in some emotional effort to try to look carefree and natural.Motor racing world in ‘disbelief’ at Christian Horner alleged leaked messages”Her smile looks performed and that outward flick of her right hand and lower arm hint at inner tension causing rigidity.” The expert said their body language, with their hands pulled closer to Geri’s body, suggested this was a PR performance of “loyalty and togetherness”. “The way she grasps Christian’s hand suggests she’s being the decisive one here,” Judi added. “It looks as though she has taken over control here and decided to show a message of togetherness to the world.” It comes asShe said this made it appear as though Geri was on a “denial mission”. Judi added that Horner looked “awkward” with one hand in his pocket, suggesting a “desire to hide”. She continued: “He doesn’t meet Geri’s eye contact when she throws a pinging beam at him as though trying to prompt him to return a loving smile.” The Spice Girl went for her signature white outfit, which she is known for wearing at F1 races.It comes after Geri was said to have “felt like a fool” for trusting her “prince charming” husband after he played down sexting claims.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun Horner tried to play down the scandal.Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated.They said: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage. “She worked hard for all of this, she jumped through hoops to get him, so will she dump him?”READ MORE SUN STORIESEarlier today, a smiling Horner appeared to have shrugged off his sext scandal as he arrived alone at the Bahrain Grand Prix.The racing chief previously refused to comment on the leaked WhatsApp sexts, which were sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets on Thursday.Geri was seen for the first time since messages allegedly sent by her husband were leakedCredit: PAThe couple walked hand-in-hand in front of the camerasCredit: PA More

GERI Halliwell is said to have “felt like a fool” for trusting her “prince charming” husband Christian Horner after he played down sexting claims.The Spice Girl, 51, touched down in Bahrain on Thursday night just as her husband’s bombshell sexts began to spread around the globe.Geri, pictured with Horner at the Monaco GP, has not yet been spotted at the circuit in BahrainCredit: GettyThe former Spice Girl touched down in Bahrain on Thursday night and was reportedly adamant about not seeing her husbandCredit: AFPRed Bull Racing chief Horner was spotted today arriving solo at the Bahrain Grand PrixCredit: GettyThe singer is now facing “the biggest decision of her life” as she is deciding what the next move in her marriage with Horner will be, her friends said.She will most likely bunker down in the couple’s Cotswolds country home and make her decision behind closed doors, the Daily Mail reported.Friends of the star reportedly stated it would “break her heart” to end things with Christian, whom she considers the “Prince Charming” she has waited for since she was a little girl.An insider said: “She acts on impulse a lot. She has a temper on her, that’s for sure, and doesn’t Christian know it.Read more on Geri Halliwell”But the question now that her inner circle is asking is whether Christian will be sent to the dog house for a few days or whether this is it for good.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun Horner tried to play down the scandal.They said: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage.”Most read in Motorsport”She worked hard for all of this, she jumped through hoops to get him, so will she dump him?”It is understood Geri went “into meltdown” when she landed in Bahrain to discover Horner’s sext leak.Her concerned pals added she seemed “fragile” when they saw her a few weeks ago.A source also told The Mirror: “Geri has been locked in crisis talks with her team this week about how to manage all of this.Christian Horner cleared following investigation into ‘inappropriate behaviour'”Christian had played down the whole affair to her, but she can’t bear the fact it is now all out in the open.”She feels like a fool. It has really taken its toll on her and she told pals this week she would not be in Bahrain.Geri was also said to be adamant about not seeing her husband, but Horner’s mother pleaded with her to publicly support him as a gesture of solidarity, The Mirror reported.An insider said: “She was adamant she wouldn’t be there, she would not pretend like ­everything was OK.”But Christian’s mum has been leaning on her heavily to stand by his side, and publicly back him, and her pleas seem to have worked.”Her own team had been urging her to keep her distance and seek advice.She feels like a foolSource close to Geri HalliwellThe source added: “They are worried about the impact on both her personally and her brand and want her to pause and consider her next move carefully.”She feels ­incredibly torn between the two camps. It’s a horrific situation for her to be in, and it is growing worse by the minute.”It is yet to be seen if she will be joining Horner at the paddock in Bahrain as her husband was pictured today arriving solo at the Grand Prix.It is also understood that Geri has been left “distraught and devastated” over the scandal, which Horner, 50, had repeatedly played down.The devastating trove of texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probe.She was adamant she wouldn’t be there, she would not pretend like ­everything was OKSource close to Geri HalliwellMeanwhile, The Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandal. A Red Bull insider said she even approved of the woman working in Horner’s team.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was also claimed yesterday that the employee was “unhappy” after the messages were leaked and believed the probe into his behaviour had been “one-sided”.A friend said: “We speak every day and she’s very unhappy – of course. In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she has been crucified.”Friends of Geri, pictured with Horner on the grid at the Monaco GP, said she ‘feels like a fool’ for trusting her husbandCredit: GettyThe texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probeCredit: PAHow Christian Horner’s shock texts were leakedBy Ben Hunt
IT was an anonymous email sent and designed for maximum impact.
It landed in my inbox almost 24 hours to the minute since Christian Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following Red Bull’s internal investigation.
Other names included Liberty Media chief Greg Maffei, who owns the rights to F1. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Dominacali.
The F1 team bosses were also included for good measure. As was Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.
It was from an anonymous sender, the title was simply the date – ‘Feb Twenty Nine’.
Inside it was a Google Drive link containing 79 files claiming to be the evidence from the independent investigation.
There is no way of knowing if they were real or fake yet irrespectively it sent another shockwave through the F1 paddock before this season had even started.
Horner was sitting on the team’s pitwall during second practice in Bahrain when the email dropped.
After the session, he walked out of the team’s garage and into the hospitality unit where he remained as the nuclear fallout began.
He’d survived the outcome of the internal investigation into improper conduct following a complaint from a female colleague.
One wonders whether he will survive this time after this very public humiliation – again, irrespective if they were indeed real or fake.
Just hours earlier, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, called on the sport’s governing body, the FIA, demanding transparency.
“I just read the statement, which was pretty basic,” said Wolff. “My personal opinion is we can’t really look behind the curtain.
“There is a lady in an organisation that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received the message that it’s all fine, we’ve looked at it.
“I believe with the aspiration as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport’s position is?
“We’re competitors, we’re a team and we can have our own personal opinions or not. But it’s more like a general reaction or action that we as a sport need to assess, what is right in that situation and what is wrong.
“Are we talking with the right moral approach, with the values based on the speculation that is out there? As a sport, we cannot afford to leave things vague and opaque on critical topics like this, because this is going to catch us out.”
Brown added: “It’s the responsibility ultimately of the organisers of Formula One, the owners of Formula One, to make sure that all the racing teams and the personnel and the drivers and everyone else involved in the sport are operating in a manner in which we all live by.
“I don’t think it’s the teams’ roles and responsibilities. That’s up to FIA and Formula One to ultimately decide and ask what they feel gives them the level of transparency they need to ultimately come to their conclusion and we just have to count on them that they fulfil that obligation to all of us.”
The emailed file will only increase that pressure in the form of scrutiny on Horner – who has always denied the accusations.
It does also put Red Bull in a tricky position.
Should the emailed file be legitimate and have made up elements from the initial report, which had been thoroughly examined and presented by the independent KC, then surely this is nothing new to them and their decision to stick with their team principal remains.
To perform a u-turn on that simply now they have become public would possibly see criticism that they intended to keep their report private to save face.
Whatever the outcome, it is a mess for the world champions.Reports of a wedge driven between Horner and Verstappen’s father have grown in recent weeks.
So it was interesting that Jos Verstappen was in the paddock and wearing a team jacket and seemed unmoved to the chaos happening around him More