Liam Payne's Friend Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Singer's Father

The legal dispute centers on claims made about Liam Payne’s relationships and responsibilities prior to his death, focusing on the fallout from those statements.

In a surprising turn of events, Roger Nores, a friend of late One Direction star Liam Payne, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Geoff Payne, the singer's father, in a Florida court. The case arises following the tragic demise of Liam Payne, who passed away at the age of 31 due to severe injuries sustained from a fall at a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Geoff Payne is accused of providing misleading declarations to Argentine authorities, which Nores claims include significant omissions and fabrications not grounded in firsthand knowledge. These statements purportedly suggest that Liam was reliant on his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and Nores due to addiction issues, a portrayal that Nores vehemently disputes.

Mr. Nores contends that their relationship was one of close friendship, stating in the lawsuit that he bore no legal obligations to care for Liam, who was considered an autonomous adult capable of making his own decisions. He stressed that the accusations from Payne's father resulted in "mega proportions" of reputational damage, prompting him to seek legal redress.

Furthermore, the lawsuit outlines that any financial gains obtained through the suit will be donated to Bear, Liam’s son, whom he shared with singer Cheryl. The hearing comes just as the UK inquest into the circumstances surrounding Liam's death has been deferred until a pre-inquest review set for November 6.

As the legal proceedings unfold, both Roger Nores and Geoff Payne have not yet issued public comments regarding the accusations and the case's implications. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the beloved singer, evidenced by the attendance of notable figures at his funeral, including members of One Direction and his girlfriend, Cheryl.