UK: SPICE GIRL EMMA BUNTON GIVES EVIDENCE IN COURT

(9 Feb 2000) English/Nat

Spice girl Emma Bunton is giving evidence at the British High Court in the pop group's legal battle against an Italian motor scooter manufacturer.

Bunton is set to give evidence about the band's split from Geri Halliwell, the woman formerly known as Ginger Spice.

Bunton is expected to say that the rest of the band was unaware that Halliwell had plans to leave the group during their 1998 tour.

Italian motorcycle company Aprilia World Service is suing the Spice Girls for nearly two and a half (m) million U-S dollars in damages for a loss in profits after Ginger Spice left.

The motor company - which launched a special Spice scooter with a picture of all five Spice Girls on it - says the venture became a "total marketing flop" when Geri Halliwell left.

Aprilia was aiming the Spice Sonic scooter at a young market and says the band members were already aware of Halliwell's plans to quit when they signed the contract.

Halliwell's own autobiography "If Only" has been produced as evidence.

In it she says she told the other Spice Girls of her plans to quit before the Aprilia deal was agreed.

The pop group members argue that the contract states that a deal was being signed with a band "currently comprising" of five members.

They say the company should have known the line-up could change.

Halliwell is due to give evidence on behalf of The Spice Girls on Friday.

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