Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony are suing the National Enquirer over its claims they were involved in a drug scandal, their lawyer says. They are suing the tabloid through the European courts as it is easier for celebrities to sue successfully there than in America.

Their Belfast lawyer, Paul Tweed, says the pair is suing the tabloid through the European courts seeking "a six-figure settlement" from the paper and its parent company American Media Inc. The suit also seeks an apology and retraction for an article which featured in different versions of the tabloid’s American and international editions.

J.Lo and Anthony were said to be "caught up in a heroin scandal" in the version which appeared in the British and Irish editions on March 12. Alongside the article was a picture of Anthony standing next to photographer Michael Star, who is facing heroin possession and child pornography charges in America.

The article quoted a ‘friend’ of Star as saying Anthony and Star were friends. But Tweed says this is untrue and Anthony does not know Star.

"The First Amendment restrictions in U.S. libel law make it virtually impossible for international celebrities or other high-profile individuals to sue successfully," Tweed explains.

"But with the advance of the Internet, and with U.S. publications now extending their distribution network into Europe, they must subject themselves to libel laws in these jurisdictions."

Tweed previously sued the Enquirer last July. He got the tabloid to print an apology in the tabloid’s European edition for an article which claimed Britney Spears was about to divorce Kevin Federline.