Gibson accuses former partner of violating confidential agreement

Despite efforts to keep details of their split quiet, the breakup of Mel Gibson and his girlfriend has turned into a war of words and lawyers.

The actor-director and Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva split up in April but have since signed a secret agreement and launched a confidential court case.

Gibson's attorney, Stephen Kolodny, issued a statement accusing Grigorieva of violating the terms of a confidential custody agreement he says was reached in May.

Mr Kolodny said the star paid her "tens of thousands of dollars" and was providing her with a lavish house, a car and a nanny.

The case filed in Los Angeles last week involves the former couple's seven-month-old daughter. The court documents were not made public.