CHEF Jean-Christophe Novelli has obtained an injunction to stop the new owners of a Harpenden gastro-pub he used to own from using his name.

The High Court interim order obliges Urban and Country Inns Ltd, which bought the White Horse in Redbourn Lane in January, to remove the name Novelli from all signs and menus immediately and replace the frosted glass panes within seven days, or risk prison for contempt of court.

Mr Novelli said: ““I had previously been a shareholder and consultant to The White Horse in Harpenden and The French Horn in Steppingly.

“Sweet Medicine, the company managing the venues, not my company I must add, ceased trading in January of this year due mainly to directorship disputes. I had no control or direct involvement over that company and I am upset that the public were led to believe that I did.

“This whole episode has been very upsetting. The new owners have abused the trust of my loyal customers and staff, some of whom have been visiting my restaurants and working with me for the last 18 years. From the general public celebrating special occasions to high profile celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham, many people have been deceived into believing that I was still responsible for the chefs, the running of the kitchen, creating the menus and the overall presentation of the restaurants.

”I am also very disappointed that my name has been attached to debts of £1 million. I would like to assure everyone that when I was involved with the gastro-pubs, debts of that magnitude most certainly did not exist. It is also disappointing for me that I was not able to exercise any control or give any advice as to who should take over The White Horse.”

He said most of the staff had joined him at his new restaurants in Spain and Northampton.

A current staff memvber who did not want to be named told the Review: "We havn't used Mr Novelli's name for quite a few months, except for the glass. We got a quote to change it a month ago but they havn't got round to doing it yet."