Cruise biography branded 'sick'

Updated 13.30 Tue Jan 08 2008

Keywords: biography, Tom Cruise

A lawyer representing Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has branded an unofficial biography of the star "sick stuff".

The book, written by Princess Diana biographer Andrew Morton, claims that Cruise is second in charge of the Church of Scientology.

The book, written by Princess Diana biographer Andrew Morton, claims that Cruise is second in charge of the Church of Scientology

The Mission Impossible star has spoken publicly about Scientology, which was founded by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in Los Angeles more than 50 years ago.

Cruise's longtime lawyer, Bert Fields said: "His book is a rehash of tired old lies about Tom and his religion, some new grotesque lies, like the sick comparison of his child to 'Rosemary's Baby' and the nutty assertion that he's the No 2 head of the Church of Scientology."

Fields who says he has read the book which is due out this month in the US said: "He (Morton) has made a number of claims that are false and demonstrably so.

He added: "Clearly the book is actionable, but I'm not commenting on anything to do with legal issues."

Fields also said Cruise had no plans to read the book, which also claims that the actor's former wife, Nicole Kidman, was worried she would be blackmailed or stopped from seeing the couple's two adopted children if she spoke out against Scientology after their divorce.

The comments came as US publisher St Martin's Press defended the release of the book, saying in a short statement: "We stand by our book and our author."