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Television crews, reporters and photographers yesterday spent a second day staking out the Chelsea home of Hugh Grant after the film star's arrest for allegedly throwing a giant tub of baked beans at a cameraman.
The movie star is accused of assaulting freelance photographer Ian Whittaker on Tuesday morning, local time.
Newspapers published a series of pictures of the alleged assault, appearing to show the actor kicking and then kneeing the photographer in the groin.
Whittaker claimed that Grant swore at him and then lashed out after he asked him to smile for a picture.
The alleged assault - the latest in a series of high-profile fracas between celebrities and those who earn a living capturing their every movement on film - left the photographer "bruised, battered and covered in baked beans", he claimed.
Grant's lawyers said an incident took place but strongly denied claims relating to comments allegedly made by the actor.
The photographer was in the area to get pictures of Grant's former partner of 13 years, Liz Hurley, who lives nearby.
Whittaker told the Daily Star that the 46-year-old asked him whether he had children. When he said he had two, he claims the actor said: "I hope they die of f***ing. cancer."
It was also alleged that Grant said: "Do you know who I am? I am a millionaire."
It was reported that Grant voluntarily presented himself at Notting Hill police station on Wednesday, where he was arrested and questioned for an hour.
Police refused to confirm that he had been arrested. But a spokeswoman said: "A 46-year-old man was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault on a 43-year-old man ... He has been bailed to return to a police station on a date in May."
Grant has starred in hits such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, About a Boy and Bridget Jones' Diary. This year he topped the UK box office chart playing an ex-pop star in Music and Lyrics, with Drew Barrymore.
- Independent
