LONDON–Actor Christian Bale, star of the blockbuster The Dark Knight, yesterday denied allegations of assault made by his mother and sister after he was questioned by London police.
The 34-year-old actor spent four hours at a police station, but was not charged and was released on bail pending further inquiries.
British media reported that Bale's mother and sister complained he had assaulted them at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Sunday night, on the eve of the European premiere of the new Batman sequel that co-stars the late Heath Ledger.
A police spokesperson, in keeping with the practice of not naming suspects until they're charged, said: "A 34-year-old man has been bailed to return to a police station on a date in September."
Bale's U.K. law firm, Schillings, issued a statement denying that an assault had taken place. "Christian Bale attended a London police station today on a voluntary basis," the statement read. "Bale, who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question, and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the police."
Bale's U.S.-based spokesperson also issued a denial of wrongdoing.
A woman thought to be Bale's sister, Sharon, told reporters "it's a family matter" from her home in Corfe Mullen, 180 kilometres southwest of London.
A man who answered the door at the home of his mother, Jenny Bale, in nearby Bournemouth, said she did not want to comment.
The Sun newspaper said Sharon and Jenny Bale had made the complaint. Christian Bale, who was born in Wales, has two other sisters, Erin and Louise.
The incident casts a shadow over The Dark Knight, which earned $155 million during its first three days on American and Canadian screens, eclipsing the previous three-day record set by Spider- Man 3 last year.
Along with glowing reviews, the film has the last – and widely heralded – performance of Ledger, who died of a drug overdose shortly after filming wrapped up.
Bale was on the red carpet with co-stars Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal in London on Monday night.
British media reports said police didn't want to interrupt the premiere and waited a day to question Bale, whose other starring roles include Batman Begins, American Psycho and Empire of the Sun.
Bale is a martial arts enthusiast, environmental campaigner and a stepson of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Sibi Blazic, and their young daughter.
