David Beckham set to sue over prostitute claims in British courts
David Beckham is likely to use the British courts to sue a US magazine over claims he slept with two prostitutes, legal experts said today.
The footballer has branded the claims a "total fabrication" and now looks set to take his case to the High Court after being advised he would not succeed in the US.
The 35-year-old star has hired top lawyers in America, London and Germany, where the magazine's publisher Bauer is based, and would be looking to receive a six-figure sum in damages.
In Touch carried a story in which prostitute Irma Nici, 26, claimed he paid her £3,200 in cash for sex at a New York hotel in August 2007. She then claims he paid £1,500 for another woman to join them.
Beckham has been warned he faces little chance of success in the US courts, where freedom of speech is a powerful defence for publications. But a decision in his favour at the High Court could be enforced in Germany. He is free to sue in any country because the article was published online.
Mark Lewis, a libel and privacy solicitor for Taylor Hampton, said: "As well as suing for libel he may also be able to look at invasion of privacy. The case is likely to cost him between £300,000 to £400,000 in legal fees, although he won't be interested in the money — just clearing his name."
A friend of the star, who lives in Los Angeles with wife Victoria and their three sons, said today that he knew the story was going to be published last week.
The friend said: "He [Beckham] told the magazine that he had evidence that could disprove their claims. But they just ignored him and printed the story. It's a pack of lies."
