Polanski's libel action adjourned

Film director Roman Polanski’s British High Court libel action, which was due to start on Monday, has been adjourned.

The 69-year-old Oscar-winner is seeking damages from Conde Nast Publications Ltd over a July 2002 story in Vanity Fair magazine.

Witnesses were to include the actress Mia Farrow.

Mr Justice Eady, in London, put the contested action back until January at the earliest.

This will allow Polanski’s legal team to consider a Court of Appeal judgment, due in the next few weeks, which will give its reasons for banning him from giving evidence by video link from France where he now lives.

Mr Polanksi’s lawyers may then choose to appeal against the ruling in the House of Lords.

The director is now married to the actress Emmanuelle Seigner.