Batman actor Christian Bale has been released on police bail after being questioned for four hours over allegations of assaulting his mother and his sister at a London hotel.
Sources said that Bale was accused of lashing out at his family members - pushing one of them - in an argument over a long-running family dispute.
Bale was arrested when he attended Belgravia police station in London today after his mother and sister had reported him to police.
He left the back of the station in a blacked out silver Mercedes people carrier and sped past the awaiting paparazzi and heavy security.
Bale gave a statement to detectives of his version of events in what was described by police sources as an allegation of a “minor” common assault.
The 34-year-old was bailed until September and will be allowed to fly back to his home in America.
Jenny Bale, 61, and daughter Sharon, 41, today said an "incident" had taken place but refused to give any details.
Sharon originally denied knowing anything about it but they said: "OK, there was an incident but the police are dealing with it.
"It is an extremely sensitive situation. There is nothing more I can say."
The alleged assault was believed to have taken place on Sunday night at Park Lane's Dorchester Hotel, where Bale was staying ahead of the screening of the new Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight in London's West End on Monday night.
Mrs Bale said: "Yes I was there and yes there was a family situation but the police are handling it and I cannot say anymore at the moment.
"We didn't call the police to the scene. I can't say anymore but we didn't call the police."
Mrs Bale and her daughter are said to have gone to a police station in Hampshire to make the allegation, which was subsequently referred to the Metropolitan Police.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A 34-year-old man attended a London Police Station on Tuesday by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault."
Sources said the argument was over a long-running family dispute.
A statement issued through Bale’s lawyers said: “Christian Bale attended a London Police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister.
“Mr Bale, who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, and left the station without any charge being made against him by police.”
Bale was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in 1974. His mother was a circus clown and dancer and the actor grew up in a hippy environment.
In an interview three years ago Jenny said: "I was a dancer in the circus for a while. Christian didn't perform but he often watched me.
"I think he loved all the excitement and acting just happened after that. We were always surrounded by animals too. We'd take in every stray cat and dog, so it was quite mad."
His father, David, grew up in South Africa and ran away to sea, ending up in Britain where he became a pilot stationed in RAF Brawdy near Haverfordwest.
The family moved around via Portugal and Oxfordshire before settling in Bournemouth, where Christian spent his childhood with sisters Louise and Sharon.
Mr Bale was a devoted animal rights and environmental activist. He split from his wife in 1991, when Christian was 13, and four years later the actor moved with him to Los Angeles.
David died, at 62, from a brain tumour in December 2003 and Christian was at his bedside. Since moving to LA he has only been back to Wales once.
Mrs Bale lives in a modest, detached house in Southbourne in nearby Bournemouth.
In a previous interview, Mrs Bale said her famous son had never shunned or snubbed her.
Sharon lives in a semi-detached house near Wimborne, Dorset, which today had the blinds pulled down.
Despite the alleged incident and report, Bale attended the first European screening of The Dark Knight on Monday night.
He was joined on the red carpet by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays love interest Rachel Dawes, and Sir Michael Caine who plays Bruce Wayne's faithful butler and father figure Alfred. The film took a record $158.3 million in its opening weekend at the US box office overtaking Spiderman 3, which took $151.1 million.
Interest in the movie has increased because of the death of Heath Ledger. His performance as Batman's arch nemesis The Joker, has been widely tipped by critics, as well as Caine, to receive a posthumous Oscar.
Watch Chrsitian Batman Bale talk about his "dark side"
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