BILL MAHER - MAHER FIRES BACK

LATEST: American comedian BILL MAHER is counter-suing his ex-girlfriend in Los Angeles after she alleged he racially abused her and ruined her career as a stewardess.

NANCY JOHNSON has already filed a $9 million (GBP4.7 million) palimony suit against Maher, but the funnyman is fighting back.

In court papers sent to Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday (29NOV04), Maher says Johnson is out to embarrass and humiliate him.

Maher insists he never made the racial slurs he has been accused of, nor committed any battery.

Maher and Johnson dated for 12 months before the relationship ended earlier this year (04).