Brinkley Wins Bid To Make Divorce Public

Former model CHRISTIE BRINKLEY will fight her divorce from estranged husband PETER COOK in public after a New York judge granted her request to keep proceedings open.

Brinkley, 54, reportedly filed the motion at New York Supreme Court on Thursday (19Jun08), despite protests from architect Cook and their children's guardian Theresa Mari.

But Suffolk County Judge Mark Cohen approved Brinkley's request during a hearing on Friday (20Jun08), ruling that "open courtrooms, in general and in divorce actions, may provide a basis for societal education".

He added, "The required high burden of compelling reasons to close the courtroom has not been met."

However, Cook is disappointed with the decision.

His lawyer Norman Sheresky admits Cook is upset that Brinkley "has invited their children to attend the divorce trial".

But Brinkley has fired back at the criticism. Her attorney Robert Cohen says, "The reality is he put himself way in front of his children and his wife when he made the awful decision to destroy the marriage. The trial will get at the truth, which is very important to Christie."

The star adds, "I still remain hopeful that these matters can be resolved privately."

Brinkley filed for divorce from Cook in 2006, over his alleged affair with a then-18-year-old assistant.

According to Access Hollywood, among Brinkley's divorce allegations are claims that Cook trawled the internet for women and porn.

The former couple - who have kids Jack, 12, and Sailor, nine together - will head to trial in New York on 2 July (08).