Mohamed Al Fayed sues Paul Anka, claims singer profited from interest in Princess Diana
MOHAMMED Al Fayed is suing Paul Anka in a Los Angeles court, claiming singer profited from the public's interest in Princess Diana with his autobiography.
The ex-Harrods owner has called Anka's book My Way a "sensationalised, self-styled autobiography" at Los Angeles superior court.
The 84-year-old claims My Way includes 'false' and 'defamatory' passages and alleges they were designed to boost sales and generate attention.
Al Fayed is demanding the book be withdrawn from sale and claims it takes advantage of the public’s 'insatiable interest' and 'enduring love' for Princess Diana.
Al Fayed claims parts of the book, co-written by David Dalton, depicts his son Dodi as a cocaine abusing 'deadbeat' and womanising 'Daddy's boy.'
Al Fayed accuses Anka and Dalton of defamation, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and misuse of private information.
Al Fayed claims the book takes advantage of the public’s 'insatiable interest' and 'enduring love' for Princess Diana
The book claims that customs has seized cash Dodi tried to smuggle into America and that Anka has leant the young Fayed $150,000.
Anka alleges Dodi failed to repay him and when he called his father he was paid 'hush money' top keep him from calling the police.
The owner of Fulham Football Club claims the book falsely portrays him and says Anka's assessment of Dodi's character was 'outrageous'.
The complaint adds: "The book and the article further falsely imply that plaintiff perceived that his son Dodi was so irresponsible and culpable of the attributes alleged by Anka, that plaintiff caused in some manner Dodi's Los Angeles home to be shut down and for Dodi to be removed from Los Angeles and made to return to England in order to correct, limit or punish his son's acknowledged misconduct."
Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
