WASHINGTON: Jude Law is facing legal action from a photographer whom he allegedly attacked outside a London restaurant recently.

The Holiday star was surrounded by snappers as he exited Automat nightclub in the early hours, and was pictured lashing out as he tried to get to his car.

The 36-year-old actor was accused of hitting Harsha Gopal on the head, and slapping her in the face when she tried to take his picture.

However, the Hollywood heartthrob has since denied the accusations.

“This is all nonsense. Last night’s incident was an accident. Jude was blinded by the camera flashes when he left the restaurant, raised his hand to shield himself and inadvertently struck somebody standing very close. He apologised and left. Pictures of this sort can often be misleading,” contactmusic quoted a statement from his lawyer, Graham Shear, as saying.

However, Gopal reported the incident at Charing Cross police station. She told The London Paper, “I felt his hand come across my face... There was a massive thud and my face is still stinging.”