In a dramatic turn of events post the tragic death of Liam Payne, his friend Roger Nores has filed a defamation lawsuit against Payne's father, Geoff Payne, claiming false statements made about their relationship and the singer's care before his untimely demise.
Legal Battle Erupts Following Liam Payne's Tragic Death
Legal Battle Erupts Following Liam Payne's Tragic Death
Friend of late One Direction singer sues his father over alleged defamation statements surrounding circumstances of his death.
The father of late One Direction star Liam Payne, Geoff Payne, is facing a defamation lawsuit in the United States from singer's friend Roger Nores, following a sequence of events surrounding Payne's tragic passing. Payne, who passed away at just 31 years old from "multiple trauma" and "internal and external haemorrhage" after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, left a significant impact on his fans and friends alike.
The case arose from statements made by Geoff Payne to Argentine authorities regarding Nores' alleged neglect of care for his son. Argentine prosecutors had previously implicated Nores in the singer’s death, charging him with manslaughter and accusing him of abandoning Payne during critical moments. In a legal complaint filed in Florida, Nores characterized these claims as "false" and accused Geoff Payne of making statements that were either devoid of verifiable facts or flawed by material omissions.
Crucially, Nores denied having any legal duty of care over Payne, asserting that their relationship was based on a strong friendship rather than any caretaker role. He emphasized that Liam was an independent adult capable of making his own choices. The lawsuit contends that the public nature of these statements significantly harmed Nores' reputation and resulted in extensive damages.
In a poignant gesture, Nores indicated that any financial recovery from this lawsuit would be donated to the son of Liam Payne, Bear, whom he shared with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl. The young boy, along with other close friends and family, was present at Payne's star-studded funeral last November, which saw tributes from his former bandmates—Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the UK inquest into Payne's death remains on hold, pending a review scheduled for November 6.
