Liam Payne’s friend attacks the singer’s father in a defamation suit

Liam PayneThe singer’s friend Roger Norris has filed a defamation suit against the singer’s father, Jeff Payne.

He claimed his late friend’s father defamed him in the media in the weeks following Payne’s death, in reference to the man’s claim that Norris was negligent in the singer’s care.

Roger Norris also said in the lawsuit that he “never agreed to be and never was the caretaker” of the late Liam Payne.

TMZ Obtained documents showing that Roger Norris, Payne’s friend, filed a lawsuit against singer Jeff’s father.

In the lawsuit, Norris, who was with the late singer a few hours before his death, accused his friend’s father of smearing his name after Payne’s death. He appeared to be referring to Jeff’s public claims that he was responsible for Payne’s care.

Norris also noted that Jeff had made him a target for Buenos Aires police by submitting a sworn statement claiming that Norris had “full responsibility for Liam’s care during this recent period.”

According to the 35-year-old, Jeff’s claims were false because he “never agreed to be and has never been Liam’s carer.”

He went on to say that he had a strong relationship with the late singer and that they supported each other, but that was only because they were “dear friends” and not because of any paid arrangements.

Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Norris also declared his innocence regarding any involvement in Payne’s death, claiming that he never provided the singer with “any recreational drugs and never controlled any prescription medications he took.”

He also stated that he spoke to the singer’s late father about not being able to “dedicate the same time to supporting” the former One Direction star. This reported email conversation between him and Jeff took place in August 2024, which Norris claims Jeff failed to disclose to authorities.

Norris also stated that he urged Jeff to take immediate action to address Payne’s struggle with addiction.

When they spoke the following month, Norris reportedly urged Jeff to visit Payne’s residence in Wellington, Florida, to care for his son. However, despite confirming Payne’s condition, he claimed that Jeff never made the trip.

Norris claimed in his lawsuit that Jeff “never provided a temporary or new bodyguard” for Payne after the late singer fired his “paid caretaker” and bodyguard, Bledar Fata.

Not only did he blame Jeff, but Norris also pointed out that people like Payne’s girlfriend had “unique ability, opportunity, and superior knowledge of his activities and needs.”

He then called on the late singer’s father to retract his statements to the police.

“Jeff needs to retract his sworn statement because he knows full well that I was not Liam’s nurse or caretaker,” Norris said. TMZ.

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

If the lawsuit ends in his favor, Nurse intends to donate any money he earns to his late friend’s son, Bear.

Norris is one of five suspects charged in the investigation into Payne’s death after the singer fell from a hotel balcony.

He is charged with negligent homicide, and is linked to allegations that he abandoned Payne despite knowing the One Direction star was not in the best condition when he left the hotel on the day of his death.

Although Norris has not yet been remanded in custody, he has been banned from leaving Argentina until the case is concluded.

He also denied abandoning the late singer, adding that he left him in good health on the day of his death.

He said in a statement to the Daily Mail: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.”

“There were more than 15 people in the hotel lobby talking and joking with him when I left. I never imagined something like this would happen.”