Proceedings for the attachment or committal to prison of the Aga Khan and others have been instituted by a secretary at his Irish stud, the High Court heard yesterday. The proceedings, taken by Ms Mary Charlton (54), of Canalway, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, were adjourned by Ms Justice Laffoy until next week to allow affidavits to be served.
At a hearing last December, the company which represents the Aga Khan's bloodstock interests here - Aga Khan's Stud's Societe Civile - was restrained from holding a disciplinary inquiry involving Ms Charlton.
Ms Charlton claimed she was secretary to a French national, Mr Drion, who was stud manager until June last year when his employment was terminated after an investigation carried out on behalf of the Aga Khan. She alleged the personnel manager and former head of security, Mr Frank Faughnan, had outlined serious allegations involving her which would be made at an inquiry into the period of Mr Drion's management.
Mr Drion had allegedly maintained up to 40 horses, apparently at the expense of the Aga Khan. Ms Charlton claimed this was something which could not have gone unnoticed by Mr Faughnan. Mr Faughnan said he had been designated by the Aga Khan's representatives to investigate matter "pertaining to the fraudulent use" of the Aga Khan's property and that Ms Charlton had a duty as an employee to co-operate.
Yesterday, Ms Charlton brought a motion for the attachment or committal of the Aga Khan; Aga Khan's Studs Societe Civile; Mr Henry Carter Carnegie, a lawyer and adviser to the Aga Khan; Mr Richard Coulton, a financial adviser, and Mr Faughnan. She claims there have been breaches of court orders of December 1998, and July 1999.
The order of December 22nd 1998, restrains the Aga Khan's Studs Societe Civile from prosecuting, pending the hearing of full proceedings or further order, an inquiry into disciplinary matters. Notice of this inquiry was given to Ms Charlton in a letter of July 28th, 1998.
The order of July 2nd restrains the defendant company or any person acting in concert with it, from conducting or attempting to conduct an inquiry in relation to Ms Charlton or any alleged misconduct on her part in relation to her employment with the company.
Mr Ercus Stewart SC, for Ms Charlton, said it was being alleged the defendants were purporting to carry out an investigation in breach of the orders.