Pirates of the Carribean star Keira Knightley is heading for a High Court showdown with the Daily Mail over a piece which she suggested she had tried to mislead the public about whether she suffered from an eating disorder.
The moves follow publication on 11 January of a photograph of Keira – which was taken without her consent – of her on a beach wearing a bikini while she was on holiday.
Simon Smith of media law firm Schillings, who represents the 21-year-old star, said today that Knightley considered the story suggested that she had "dishonestly sought to mislead the public" about whether she had an eating disorder.
Smith said: "The article made reference to what it perceived to be Ms Knightley's very slim appearance.
"The article then reported the recent, tragic death of a teenage girl who suffered from anorexia and contained an interview with the girl's mother.
"We wish to make clear that Ms Knightley has the deepest sympathy for the girl's family."
He continued: "Ms Knightley has publicly denied suggestions that she might be anorexic or have a similar eating disorder, including in a prominent way at a well-publicised press conference to mark the European premiere of Pirates Of The Caribbean 2, in London last summer.
"Accordingly, in the proceedings, Ms Knightley will argue that the Mail's article suggests that she has dishonestly sought to mislead the public about whether she has anorexia or a similar eating disorder and will show that she does not have anorexia; and further will challenge the suggestion that she is responsible and to blame for the tragic death of the teenage girl by setting a bad example."
If the case does not settle, it is expected to reach court later this year this year or early next.
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