Amber Heard has pledged to fight the defamation lawsuit filed against her by ex-husband Johnny Depp, branding it “frivolous” and “groundless”.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Heard was the subject of a defamation lawsuit from the Mortdecai actor, who took issue with an article she wrote towards the end of last year.
In the article in question – published in December 2018 – she discusses having spoken out about domestic abuse, and the backlash she received as a result, though she pointedly does not use her ex-husband’s name at any point.
The BBC has reported that in his legal papers, Depp maintains that he “never abused Ms Heard”, claiming the allegations that he did form part of an “elaborate hoax” to keep her in the spotlight.
They also say he is seeking $50 million (£38 million) in damages.
In a statement given to HuffPost UK, her lawyer Eric M George said of Depp’s lawsuit: “This frivolous action is just the latest of Johnny Depp’s repeated efforts to silence Amber Heard. She will not be silenced.
“Mr Depp’s actions prove he is unable to accept the truth of his ongoing abusive behaviour.”
They add: “But while he appears hell-bent on achieving self-destruction, we will prevail in defeating this groundless lawsuit and ending the continued vile harassment of my client by Mr Depp and his legal team.”
By way of response, Depp’s attorney Adam Waldman said he “hardly intend[s] to silence Amber Heard”, adding: “We look forward to holding the overwhelming video, photographic and eyewitness evidence we finally possess up against Amber Heard’s (so far silent) attempts to explain the inexplicable.”
Heard first made the allegations of domestic abuse – which Depp has always denied – in May 2016, when she sought a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband.
The couple’s divorce was subsequently settled outside of court and while this meant many details of the split remained private, some pieces of evidence leaked to the press, including a video of Depp drinking and appearing to throw a bottle in his kitchen.
When they formally separated, Heard and Depp issued a joint statement, in which they labelled their marriage “at times volatile, but always bound by love”.
Heard then donated her entire £7 million settlement to charity, giving half to an organisation that works to prevent domestic violence.