Amber Heard responds to Johnny Depp's $50 million defamation lawsuit

Head's attorney reiterated claims that Depp physically abused her

Amber Heard (Getty)

Amber Heard has asked a judge to dismiss the $50 million (£38 million) defamation lawsuit that ex-husband Johnny Depp has filed against her over an op-ed published in The Washington Post concerning domestic violence.

Filing a motion in the Circuit Court of Fairfax, Virginia, Heard once again reiterated allegations that Depp abused her before and during their marriage.

She exhibited photos of her face with bruises as well as images of property allegedly damaged by Depp and screenshots of text messages sent at the time.

"Johnny Depp physically and verbally abused Amber Heard," her attorney Eric George said in a statement, according to Fox News.

"Since their divorce, Mr Depp has continued to publicly harass Ms Heard, and attempted to gaslight the world by denying his abuse. It is long past time for Mr Depp's despicable conduct to end."

Depp's lawsuit has called the allegations of domestic abuse "categorically and demonstrably false". The actor's lawsuit continues: "They were part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms Heard and advance her career."

Heard's article in the Washington Post does not name Depp directly, but does discuss the difficulties of speaking out about domestic abuse. She also claimed that after accusing Depp of violence she lost out on a number of roles ​as she felt “the full force of our culture’s wrath for women [who speak out]”.

Depp's lawsuit claims it is clear that she was referring to actor and says the allegations have cost him jobs, such as playing Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Last year, Depp – who has been dropped from the forthcoming Invisible Man reboot – settled a $25m (£19m) lawsuit with his former business managers, alleging “gross misconduct” and “fraudulent” self-activity.

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Also in 2018, the location manager for film City of Lies filed a lawsuit against Depp alleging he was punched twice in the ribs by the actor.