Rome: An Italian actor has claimed she was beaten up by the supermodel Naomi Campbell in a suite of a five-star hotel in Rome. Yvonne Scio says she was left with a bloodied lip, cuts and bruises and needed hospital treatment after being kicked and punched in the alleged assault.

“My client is very shocked and has reported the matter to the police,” said Scio’s lawyer. “Certainly she will be seeking damages.” Campbell vigorously denied the claim.

The altercation is said to have taken place on Saturday evening at Hotel Eden, one of Rome’s best-known boutique hotels, while Campbell was in the Italian capital for promotional work. The two women, who have been friends for more than 10 years, had spent the afternoon shopping in the fashionable Via Condotti area and had returned to their rooms to change for a late-night dinner with friends.

According to a statement, an argument erupted about 11.30 pm when the 35-year-old model saw her friend in a Fendi dress. “Naomi started abusing me,” Scio said. “To calm her, I went back and changed into jeans and a top. As soon as I went back into her suite, Naomi hurled herself at me.” The 37-year-old, a socialite whose parents own the prestigious Il Pellicano hotel in Porto Ercole, claims she was shoved up against a wall. — The Guardian