Johnny Depp denies slapping ex-wife

JOHNNY Depp has denied slapping his ex-wife Amber Heard after she laughed at his “Wino Forever” tattoo, as he faced further questioning on the second day of high-profile libel action against The Sun newspaper.

The Hollywood actor rejected suggestions he slapped Ms Heard three times during a time when he had “fallen off the wagon” after she made a joke of the etching on his arm – saying “that is not true, you are mistaken”.

The 57-year-old was probed about the alleged incident as he re-entered the witness box to give evidence in his claim.

Mr Depp is suing the tabloid’s publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over the 2018 article, which labelled him a “wife beater” and referred to “overwhelming evidence” that he attacked Ms Heard, 34, during their relationship – which he strenuously denies.

Sasha Wass QC, for NGN, asked Mr Depp about the alleged incident in March 2013, which Mr Depp agreed was at a time when he had “fallen off the wagon” following about 160 days of sobriety.

It involved a tattoo the actor had done on his arm during his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, which read “Winona Forever” and which he had changed to “Wino Forever” after they split.

Ms Wass put it to Mr Depp that he had slapped Ms Heard three times after she laughed at the tattoo during a period where he was drinking heavily.

She said: “Do you accept that Ms Heard was making a joke out of your tattoo, ‘Wino Forever’?”

Mr Depp replied: “I don’t recall any conversation.”

Ms Wass continued: “I suggest that that provoked disappointment, firstly, in you, and then anger in you.

“You slapped her more than once, because after you slapped her the first time, she didn’t react, she just eyeballed you, she just stared at you, and that made you more angry and you slapped her again.”

Mr Depp answered: “That is patently untrue.”