Liam Payne’s friend sued the singer’s father for defamation

The father of the late One Direction star Liam Payne, Jeff Payne, has been named in a US defamation case by the singer’s friend Roger Norris.

Payne died at the age of 31 from “multiple injuries” and “internal and external bleeding” after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Five people have been charged over his death, including Mr Nores, who has been charged with manslaughter. Argentine prosecutors said he “abandoned” the singer and failed in his duties of care.

In a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday, Mr. Nores alleged that Payne’s father made “false” statements to Argentine officials that “contained material flaws and many parts were not based on personal knowledge.”

The controversial claims include claims that “due to his addiction” Payne was in the care of his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and Mr Nores.

However, Mr Nores claims his relationship with Payne was distorted, saying they had a “good mutual friendship” but he “never had a legal duty of care” to him.

“Liam was an independent adult who made all his own decisions,” the lawsuit said.

It noted that Mr Nores had “never been Liam’s carer”.

He added that the statements made by Payne’s father, which were leaked to the media, had an “adverse effect” on his reputation “of great proportions and great damage”.

The new document said the “net financial proceeds” of the lawsuit would go to the One Direction and solo star’s son Bear, who he shared with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

Cheryl was among the mourners in Payne’s star-studded funeral in Novemberalongside his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

The UK inquest into Payne’s death was adjourned pending an inquest on November 6.

The Press Association has contacted Mr Nores and Mr Payne for comment.