Bing sues woman he dated after Liz

Steve Bing has instructed his lawyers to take action against the woman he dated after dumping a pregnant Liz Hurley.

The millionaire film producer's Los Angeles legal team has been directed to start proceedings against Brenda Swanson for alleged defamatory comments she made in the British media about their affair and his relationship with actress Ms Hurley, 36. Yael Efron, an associate at Lavely and Singer, representing Mr Bing, said: "We have been instructed to prepare to sue TV producer Brenda Swanson over a number of false and defamatory statements which have a appeared in the media."

The move came 48 hours after Mr Bing instructed his lawyers to ask Britain's courts to order a paternity test to find out whether he is the father of Ms Hurley's child, Damian.

A spokesman for Mr Bing's London legal team, Farrer and Co, said: "Mr Bing has asked me to reiterate that if paternity of Damian Hurley is proved, he is perfectly prepared to behave honourably, make generous provision for the child and would want to be involved in his upbringing."