Johnny Depp is reportedly suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for $50M in a defamation lawsuit.
According to a report in Metro, the lawsuit comes in relation to a claim Heard made in being a victim of domestic abuse, in an article for the Washington Post.
Whilst Depp wasn’t named in the article, the actor’s legal team have claimed that the piece implicated Depp and that he “perpetrated domestic violence against her.” Depp has categorically denied the allegations.
In court documents viewed by The Blast, Depp’s team have said: “Ms. Heard purported to write from the perspective of a ‘public figure representing domestic abuse’, claiming she “felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out” after she “spoke up against sexual violence.”
It continued: “The article depends on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her…The [articles] clear implication that Mr. Depp is a domestic abuse is categorically and demonstrably false.
“Mr. Depp never abused Ms. Heard. Her allegations against him were false when they were made in 2016. They were an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career.”
A lawyer representing Heard, Eric M George has responded to the statement in People and said: “This frivolous action is just the latest of Johnny Depp’s repeated efforts to silence Amber Heard. She will not be silenced.
“Mr. Depp’s actions prove he is unable to accept the truth of his ongoing abusive behaviour. But while he appears hell-bent on achieving self-destruction, we will prevail in defeating this groundless lawsuit and ending the continued vile harassment of my client by Mr. Depp and his legal team.”
Both Depp and Heard came to a settlement out of court, issuing a joint statement. They wrote: “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm.”
Last year, Heard’s lawyers reportedly condemned an interview in which Depp denied abusing her.
The actress’ legal team attacked GQ magazine for its “outrageous” profile of Johnny Depp this month, who denied that he is responsible for alleged physical abuse in the interview.
“If GQ had done even a basic investigation into Mr Depp’s claims, it would have quickly realised that his statements are entirely untrue. Mr Depp has blatantly disregarded the parties’ confidentiality agreement,” said Heard’s legal team in a statement quoted by the Hollywood Reporter.
In the GQ interview, Depp repeated his denial of any physical abuse.