Polanski Explains Vanity Fair Legal Action

Oscar-winning director ROMAN POLANSKI sued Vanity Fair magazine over claims he seduced a woman on the way to his late wife's funeral because he fears his womanising is more famed than his film-making.

The Oliver Twist director was furious at claims he preyed on women just days after his wife Sharon Tate was murdered by followers of Charles Manson in 1969, and vowed to seek justice.

The 72-year-old Hollywood legend was awarded $87,000 (GBP50,000) in damages for the story which appeared three years ago (02).

He explains, "It was such an obvious and blatant lie.

"I had to react to this. ... Because I don't want this to be part of the material that comes up and is reproduced again each time they write about me."

Polanski gave evidence during the case from France via video link to avoid extradition to America, where he's wanted on child sex charges dating back to 1977.