Naomi Campbell charged over Heathrow 'assault'

Naomi Campbell fought back tears as she said her infamous temper had its roots in being abandoned as a child. (Reuters)

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer at Heathrow Airport, her lawyer said today.

The charge follows an incident last month when she was removed from a flight bound for Los Angeles following an alleged row over luggage.

Campbell, 37, will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in west London on June 20, lawyer Simon Nicholls said.

She was told she would face charges over the incident when she answered bail at Heathrow police station this morning.

Campbell has been charged with five offences relating to the incident at Heathrow's Terminal 5 on 3 April, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

She is accused of three counts of assaulting a constable, one count of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and one count of using threatening, abusive words or behaviour to cabin crew.

These are offences which can only be tried at a magistrates' court, the CPS said.

The supermodel arrived just after 11.30am wearing a pinstriped dark suit and sunglasses in a chauffeur driven Mercedes.

After spending half-an-hour inside being informed of the charges she emerged and was driven away after refusing to answer any questions from waiting reporters.

Her lawyer Mr Nicholls read a statement on her behalf saying: "Miss Campbell is bitterly disappointed that the prosecutors have advised her she is to be prosecuted for various offences.

"Prosecutors in this case have decided she needs to be prosecuted in the magistrates court. She respects that decision and she hopes this matter is dealt with expeditiously."

Mr Nicholls said that his client would be appearing in court on 20 June and said the charges would be fully set out by the police.