I can't imagine an American publication doing this

Steve Bing's lawyer

It printed his Los Angeles office number and urged readers to call and tell him what they thought of his actions.

Bing's lawyer claims he received a number of death threats following the hate campaign on the now-disconnected number.

Since actress and model Hurley announced she was pregnant in November the couple have made a series of public statements about their relationship.

'Loyal'

She immediately named the 36-year-old millionaire as the father but he went on to question the paternity, saying their relationship had not been "exclusive".

Hurley has been getting emotional support from her ex Hugh Grant

Hurley countered these allegations, saying she had been "completely loyal and faithful" during their 18-month relationship.

Bing's comments left tabloid newspapers in the UK gunning for him, with Hurley considered by many as one of the country's biggest exports to the US.

Now Bing has hit back claiming libel, emotional distress and invasion of privacy.

Damages

Bing's lawyer Marty Singer said: "This has gone beyond a simple defamatory article to where he feels his safety is at risk.

Hurley is expecting the baby in April

"I can't imagine an American publication doing this."

The lawsuit was filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica and asks for at least $10m in compensation and punitive damages.

It also seeks to have the paper stop writing damaging articles about Bing.

There are doubts as to whether any action taken in an American court could be enforced against a UK publisher.