Mel libel truce call
MEL B has been urged to settle out of court with her former nanny to prevent a full-blown libel trial.
Lorraine Gilles is suing over claims she had an affair with Mel’s estranged husband Stephen Belafonte behind her back. The 26-year-old German says she was wrongly branded a “homewrecker, prostitute and extortionist”.
But Judge John Doyle has invited Mel, 41, and Lorraine to meet face to face in August to prevent a costly court battle. A source said: “This practice is arranged by judges who try to encourage parties to settle financially, reach a mutual agreement or lessen the claims.”
Failure to settle the case could see the witness stand packed with A-listers including the Spice Girls, Simon Cowell and DJ Howard Stern.