Law claims female photographer attack a 'nonsense'

Actor Jude Law today dismissed as "nonsense" an incident in which he was seen to apparently lash out at a female photographer.

The star, currently appearing in a West End run of Hamlet, described the encounter as an "accident".

Law was pictured with his arm raised as he passed the startled-looking woman while leaving the Automat club in Mayfair.

The 28-year-old photographer is reported to have said of the alleged blow: "It was a real stinger."

But Law's lawyer, Graham Shear, said today: "This is all nonsense. Last night's incident was an accident.

"Jude was blinded by the camera flashes when he left the restaurant, raised his hand to shield himself and inadvertently struck somebody standing very close. He apologised and left. Pictures of this sort can often be misleading."

Law, star of movies such as Closer and Alfie, is currently appearing at the Wyndham Theatre.