David Beckham sues over prostitute claims

David Beckham is suing US magazine In Touch for publishing an article claiming he had sex with a prostitute in 2007.

Within hours of the magazine printing the claims on Wednesday 22 September, David's representatives released a statement which said the claims were "completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine was clearly told before publication".

It went on to say: "Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it."

His legal team are now suing the publishing company behind the magazine, Bauer Publishing, for knowingly reporting false claims about his private life.

The lawsuit cites libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Beckham's reps said the football star is planning an international legal assault by filing more lawsuits in other jurisdictions including Germany, where Bauer's parent company, Bauer Media Group, is located.

Meanwhile the woman at the centre of the allegations, who has been in hiding for the past week, has also been issued with a multimillion-pound lawsuit.