BROOKE SHIELDS - SHIELDS: 'SUTHERLAND SITUATION HAS BLOWN OUT OF CONTROL'

SHIELDS: 'SUTHERLAND SITUATION HAS BLOWN OUT OF CONTROL'

BROOKE SHIELDS has blasted the media for the intense press coverage of KIEFER SUTHERLAND's clash with fashion designer JACK MCCOLLOUGH, insisting the whole incident has spiralled out of control.
Sutherland has been charged with third-degree assault after allegedly head-butting the Proenza Schouler designer at a Met Costume Institute Gala afterparty in New York on 5 May (09).
The 24 actor claims he was protecting longtime pal Shields' honour when the bust-up occurred, reportedly leaving MCCollough with a broken nose.
A comment purportedly issued by Shields' representative surfaced immediately after the news hit the headlines, suggesting it was Sutherland who instigated the violent argument.
The statement read: "Nothing happened to her. Jack did nothing inappropriate. It's not clear what caused Kiefer to do what he did."
It later emerged the comments were bogus and did not come from Shields' camp - with the actress instead coming to Sutherland's defence.
A new statement, released on Monday (11May09), read, "(Shields) was bumped into by Jack MCCollough and Kiefer Sutherland became concerned... Kiefer has always been a gentleman in her company."
The bizarre situation sparked a media furore, and Shields is disappointed at the "unfortunate" turn of events.
She says, "I'm never shocked anymore about anything that happens or anything in the press, it's just the access that the press has, the fact that it blows out and affects all of our lives, it's unfortunate, really unfortunate."
Sutherland, who is currently under a probation order in Los Angeles relating to a 2007 conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), faces a $1,000 (£660) fee and up to a year in jail if convicted of the third-degree assault charge.
He is due to be arraigned on 22 June (09) at Manhattan Criminal Court.