Liz Taylor in kidnap-custody battle

Elizabeth Taylor was last night preparing to be charged with kidnapping her own grandson.

The Hollywood icon has become embroiled in a bitter custody battle for two-year-old Richard, who is at the centre of an acrimonious marriage split. Elizabeth's adopted daughter Maria took him from New York to Los Angeles, where the actress's lawyers have filed for sole custody.

However, Maria's husband Tom, a Wall Street executive, threatened to have them both charged with kidnapping.

He has also branded Elizabeth Taylor "the mother-in-law from hell" and claims her selfishness scarred Maria's life, leading her to alcoholism and the end of their marriage.