Mel Gibson has shot down claims that he pushed a female photographer, following the claims from News Corp Australia employee Kristi Miller.
The photographer snapped pictures of the actor and his girlfriend Rosalind Ross at a Paddington cinema, and alleged that Mel “shoved my back really hard” once the photos were taken, however the actor’s publicist has labelled Kristi’s account “a complete fabrication”.
Mel Gibson
Speaking to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, she explained: “I thought he was going to punch me in the face.
“He was spitting in my face as he was yelling at me, calling me a dog, saying I’m not even a human being and I will go to hell. He swore and called me a c**t. It was non-stop, he didn’t even breathe.”
Kristi claims that the actor’s tirade ended when Rosalind intervened.
“He was backing me on to the road,” she said. “It was only when [Rosalind] grabbed his shoulder and said, ‘that is enough’ that he stopped. She said, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry’.
“They turned and crossed the road and walked off.”
Kristi took a series of pictures, including this one
Mel’s publicist, Alan Nierob, refutes the claims, and has told Guardian Australia: “Basically Mr Gibson and his friend were being harassed by this photographer and he asked her repeatedly to stop, which she did not.
“There was never any physical contact whatsoever and the story being told by her is a complete fabrication of the truth.”
He has not commented on the verbal abuse accusations.
Australian superintendent Tony Crandell has confirmed that police are investigating the matter, stating: “We will be looking for CCTV footage. At some stage we would request to interview Mr Gibson’s partner who appears to be a witness.”
RadarOnline first reported that Mel had begun dating 24-year-old Rosalind back in July, and it’s believed they met when Rosalind agreed to write a film for Mel’s production company Icon, and whisked her off for a luxury holiday.
“The started their romantic getaway in Costa Rica, hiding out in Playa Barrigona, where he owns a 500-acre tropical sanctuary in the middle of the jungle, before heading to Panama,” a source told the US publication. “It’s clear the two of them are really happy together.”