Liam Payne’s friend sues singer’s father for defamation

Late One Direction star Liam Payne’s father Geoff Payne has been named in a US defamation case by the singer’s friend Roger Nores.

Payne died at age 31. for “multiple traumas” and “internal and external hemorrhages” after falling from the balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Five people were charged with his death, including Mr. Nores, who was accused of involuntary manslaughter. Argentine prosecutors claimed he “abandoned” the singer and failed to fulfill his duty of care responsibilities.

In a legal complaint filed in Florida on Wednesday, Nores claimed that Payne’s father made “false” statements to Argentine officials that “contained material omissions, and many portions were not based on personal knowledge.”

The controversial statements include accusations that, “due to his addictions,” Payne was in the care of his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and Mr. Nores.

However, Nores claims his relationship with Payne was misrepresented, saying they had a “dear mutual friendship” but that he “never owed a legal duty of care” to him.

“Liam was an independent adult who made all of his own decisions,” the lawsuit states.

He noted that Mr Nores “was never Liam’s carer”.

He added that Payne’s father’s statements, which were shared with the media, had an “adverse impact” on his reputation of “mega proportions with substantial damage.”

The new document states that the “net financial proceeds” of the lawsuit will be donated to One Direction and the solo star’s son, Bear, whom he shared with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

Cheryl was among the mourners. in Payne’s star-studded funeral in Novemberalongside his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

The UK inquiry into Payne’s death has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.

The Press Association has contacted Messrs Nores and Payne for comment.