“Liam Wasn’t My Patient — He Was My Friend”: Man Charged in Payne’s Death Sues Singer’s Dad for $10M Over “False” Claims

The father of late One Direction star Liam Payne is being sued for defamation by one of the singer’s close friends, Roger Nores — a man who is also facing criminal charges in Argentina in connection with Payne’s tragic death.

Payne, 31, died from multiple traumatic injuries after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires last October. The UK inquest into his death, which opened earlier this month, listed the cause as “polytrauma”.

Now, Nores — who was one of five people charged with manslaughter in Argentina — is taking legal action against Geoff Payne, Liam’s father. In a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday, Nores is seeking $10 million in damages, alleging that Geoff Payne gave sworn statements to Argentine authorities which were “false, contained material omissions, and many parts were not based on personal knowledge”.

According to the complaint, Mr Payne’s statements suggested his son was under the care of Nores and Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, due to his “addictions”. Nores claims this portrayal was not only inaccurate but deeply damaging to his reputation.

In the court documents, Nores strongly refutes any implication that he was acting as a carer for Payne, stating: “Liam was an independent adult person who made all his own decisions… I was never the caretaker of Liam.” He described their bond as “a dear mutual friendship” and said any duty of care ascribed to him was being “grossly misrepresented”.

Nores further argued that the statements made by Payne’s father — some of which were shared with the media — caused reputational damage of “mega proportions”.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Nores revealed his intention to donate any financial proceeds from the lawsuit to Payne’s young son Bear, whom the singer shared with Girls Aloud star Cheryl. “All the proceeds will be donated to my friend’s son,” he said. “Geoff needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker.”

He added: “Liam, who I miss every day, was my dear friend and an independent, brilliant, respectful free man who did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.”

The lawsuit adds further tension to an already complex and emotional case. Argentinian prosecutors have accused Nores and others of abandoning Payne and failing in their responsibilities the night he died, prompting the manslaughter charges.

Neither Geoff Payne nor representatives for Roger Nores have publicly commented on the legal action. The UK inquest into Payne’s death is due to resume with a pre-inquest review hearing scheduled for 6 November.

Payne, who rose to global fame with One Direction, enjoyed a successful solo career after the band’s hiatus, with hits like Strip That Down and Polaroid. His death sent shockwaves through the music world, and his funeral, held in November, was attended by all four of his former bandmates.