Vatican taken to trial for first time in an English court

Financier convicted in Holy See's tribunal over high-value UK property deal launches civil action in London

The Vatican has gone on trial in an English court for the first time, accused of subjecting a British businessman to incoherent and confused" allegations over a London property deal.

Raffaele Mincione was convicted by a Vatican tribunal last year over the Holy See's purchase of the landmark former Harrods depository at 60 Sloane Avenue in Chelsea. The Vatican had accused the financier of inflating the price of the property.