Spice Girls ‘rallying behind’ Geri Halliwell, Mel B says amid sexting scandal plaguing F1 boss husband Christian Horner
GERI Halliwell’s Spice Girls bandmates are “rallying behind” her amid her F1 boss husband’s ongoing sexting scandal, Mel B has revealed.
The Scary Spice star admitted she felt “really sad” for Geri as her Red Bull Racing chief husband Christian Horner‘s reputation remains on the line.
Horner, 50, has been under intense pressure after a slew of sexually suggestive text messages apparently sent to an employee were leaked.
The F1 boss has always denied any wrongdoing – and was cleared by an internal investigation at Red Bull.
But Geri is said to be “in turmoil” over the sexting storm.
Mel B has now revealed the Spice Girls stars are supporting Geri.
The singer, 48, told Good Morning Britain: “When you are going through something like that you do need your friends and family and we are all supporting her.
“I feel really sad for Geri.”
Horner and Geri put on a united front over the weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The ex-popstar was on hand to watch Horner’s all-conquering driver Max Verstappen claim another victory despite the internal drama.
But Geri is said to be having “second thoughts” about joining her former bandmates for a rumoured Spice Girls 30th anniversary reunion.
A source told the Mail: “Thirty years should be a special moment for her.
“That she’s having second thoughts shows the level of turmoil she is in.
“Getting everything back on an even keel is what she will be
concentrating on.
“She wants a low-profile existence now.”
Addressing rumours of a Spice Girls reunion, Mel B said today: “I’m always the one saying we are getting together and always getting told off for it.
“We are doing something – I just can’t say it.”
It comes as Geri yesterday stepped out without her embattled husband as she attended the Commonwealth Day Service.
She smiled for the cameras as she once again wore a trademark all-white ensemble for the service at Westminister Abbey in London.
It was the first time she has been seen at a public event without her husband since the scandal broke last month.
What started as Horner’s personal controversy has morphed into a power struggle within Red Bull in recent weeks.
While Horner was cleared of the colleague’s initial accusations of controlling behaviour on February 28 – the company turmoil did not end there.
Just 24 hours later a dossier of the father-of-two’s embarrassing and seedy text messages were leaked.
SCANDAL... LAP BY LAP
FEBRUARY 5: A Dutch newspaper reports a female Red Bull employee has made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” about Horner to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
FEB 9: Horner is quizzed for nine hours by the lawyer hired by Red Bull to investigate.
FEB 15: He denies the allegations and says they are a distraction for the team.
FEB 15: F1 says it hopes the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity after a fair and thorough process.
FEB 26: Red Bull’s engine partner Ford says it is increasingly frustrated by the team’s handling of the complaint.
FEB 28: Horner is cleared of all wrongdoing. The employee is said to have the right of appeal.
FEB 29: Horner says he is pleased the investigation is over.
FEB 29: WhatsApp texts and pictures claimed to be between Horner and the employee are sent to journalists and F1.
MARCH 1: Horner refuses to comment on what he calls “anonymous speculation from unknown sources”.
MAR 2: Horner and wife Geri are pictured hand-in-hand, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Horner says before the race: “It’s been very testing for my family but we are very strong and our focus is on this race.”
MAR 3: Verstappen’s dad Jos, claims Red Bull is in “danger of being torn apart” if Horner stays in the job. He denies being the source of the WhatsApp leak, saying: “It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
MAR 6: Max Verstappen sides with his dad in the row.
MAR 7: Horner says he wants to draw a line under the scandal and hails Geri’s support — as Red Bull suspends the employee.
The intimate messages raised questions about Red Bull’s international investigation and put the spotlight firmly on wife Geri’s appearance in Bahrain days later.
While the couple put on a public – if awkward – display of support for the F1 opener, reports suggest things behind the scenes are rocky.
Geri reportedly laid down the law for his behaviour moving forwards and demanded he cut off contact with the woman.
She was later suspended from Red Bull.
Tensions within the team itself have also been steadily increasing for weeks.
The biggest rift so far has sprung up between Horner and his star driver – Max Verstappen’s – father Jos.
Jos, 52, has backed Horner’s accuser and has called for £8million-a-year Horner to be axed, accusing the boss of ripping the team apart.
A source told The Sun said over the weekend: “Christian’s enemies are making it clear they will not give up.
“But he and Geri are staying strong and will face them down.
“Christian will be back at work at Red Bull’s HQ first thing on Monday to get on with the business of running his team and winning races.”