The ex-husband of Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone has told a court he is “absolutely not guilty” of the racially-aggravated harassment of a police officer.

James Stunt, a gold dealer and financier, is accused of one count of racially-aggravated harassment of PC Richard Harper on 22 June last year.

The incident is alleged to have taken place close to his address in Ennismore Garden Mews in London’s Knightsbridge.

Stunt appeared remotely for a short hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.

Asked for his plea, he told the court: “Absolutely not guilty.”

Judge Deborah Taylor told him she was adjourning the case for a trial in the week of 25 July 2022 and granted him unconditional bail.

The defendant married Ms Ecclestone, daughter of F1 tycoon Bernie Ecclestone, in Italy in 2011.

They had three children together – a daughter followed by twin boys – but divorced in 2017.

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