Schwarzenegger sued by TV presenter

Showbiz

13:30 21 January 2005

Arnold Schwarzenegger is being sued by a British TV presenter over an alleged sex attack - which could cost him over £1million.

Anna Richardson, 32, is launching a libel case against the actor-turned-politician after it was claimed she falsely accused him of groping her to damage his political ambitions in 2003.

The alleged incident happened in December 2000 when the presenter was interviewing the 'Terminator' star in London.

During the interview, Richardson claimed Schwarzenegger pulled her onto his knee and asked her if her breasts were real, before circling her left nipple with his hand and saying to her: "Yes, they are real."

At the time, a spokesman for the 57-year-old star dismissed the incident, saying: "Arnie is a big flirt, as is Anna. Most presenters know how to handle him and understand he's just flirting."

However, Richardson's claims, along with a number of other allegations of sexual harassment made by 16 separate women, resurfaced when Schwarzenegger was running for governor of California, nearly costing him the election.

Richardson's allegations were publicly discredited by the actor's campaign manager, Sean Walsh, who said the TV presenter had fabricated the claims to damage Schwarzenegger's election campaign.

Richardson claims she was libelled and her reputation as a professional interviewer has been irrevocably damaged.

(c) BANG Media International