Depp told to disclose audio recordings
JOHNNY Depp will have to disclose audio recordings of conversations between him and ex-wife Amber Heard, as part of his libel claim against a UK newspaper.
The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publishers of The Sun, and its executive editor Dan Wootton, over an article which alleged he was violent and abusive towards his ex-wife Amber Heard, and referred to him as a “wife-beater”.
At a hearing in London last week, lawyers for Mr Depp (55) and for News Group Newspapers, asked Mr Justice Nicol to rule on matters in dispute, including issues relating to disclosure of the star’s text messages.
The judge ordered Mr Depp must make further disclosure — the handing over of evidence ahead of a trial — in relation to audio tapes of the conversations he had with Ms Heard (33) during their relationship.
Lawyers for the Pirates Of The Caribbean star told the court last week that the recordings, which have been the subject of recent press reports, include Ms Heard appearing to discuss having been physically violent towards Mr Depp.
David Sherborne, representing Mr Depp, said the evidence “demonstrates in her own voice that she was not a victim of domestic abuse, but rather that she was the aggressor”.
However, the judge refused NGN’s application for further disclosure in relation to text messages sent by Mr Depp to his friend, British actor Paul Bettany.
During the hearing on February 26, lawyers for NGN said texts sent by Mr Depp during his relationship with Ms Heard are “very damaging” to his case.