Ex-top cop in bitter divorce row

Aug 17 2008 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

THE wife of Lord Mackenzie says she is now locked in a bitter divorce over their £2m fortune.

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate — Tony Blair’s former adviser on law and order — walked out on his childhood sweetheart Jean after 40 years of marriage last September.

He has now set up home with Debbie Glaister, who is 20 years his junior.

When the Sunday Sun exclusively revealed that they were to divorce, the 64-year-old former Durham top copper insisted no one else was involved. He told the Sunday Sun that it was not until after his separation that he started a relationship with Ms Glaister, 42, who runs a day centre for adults with learning difficulties.

But Lady Jean Mackenzie claimed in a London newspaper that her husband and Debbie had embarked on the affair before their separation.

She said: “She’s a stick-thin Barbie doll lookalike. Very attractive, with a shock of blonde hair. Quite small with an ample bosom. I used to feel sorry for her — she’d been dumped by her German boyfriend — and invite her to parties and barbecues at our house.”

She added: “Last September he told me out of the blue that he was leaving me and there was no one else involved. I was devastated.”

Lady Mackenzie has reportedly filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and mental cruelty.

Lord Mackenzie is reported to have said: “My relationship with Deborah has nothing to do with the divorce.

“Divorce was on the cards a long, long time ago. My wife is trying to stir the pot.

“I love my new partner and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her.

“It is disappointing that she has decided to go public with her alleged grievances.”