Hurley's Ex Seeks Paternity Action

By Beth Lipton

04/19/2002 at 12:00 PM EDT

While actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, 36, recovers at Elton John's house from the April 4 birth of her son, Damian Charles, her ex-beau, movie producer and real estate mogul Stephen Bing, has been busy in court. Bing initiated legal proceedings in family court in London on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports, noting that Hurley was notified Friday. For months he has questioned whether he is the baby's father. In December 2001, he said in a statement that "Ms. Hurley and I were not in an exclusive relationship when she became pregnant. It is her choice to be a single mother . . . If indeed I am the father, I will be an extremely involved and responsible parent." Legally, in California (where Bing resides), he could be forced to pay out a substantial portion of his annual income if his paternity is proven. At the time, Hurley said in a statement that in her 18 months with Bing, "I was completely loyal and faithful to Stephen throughout this time as, indeed, he assured me he was to me." Details of the proceedings were not available, but the court may order Damian to undergo paternity tests if Bing and Hurley can't agree on another course of action. "Now that Ms. Hurley has had her baby, Mr. Bing is anxious to establish beyond any doubt who is the baby's father," his spokeswoman said in a statement, according to the AP. "If it is proved that Mr. Bing is Damian's father, he would wish generously to support him and to be involved in his upbringing." In a statement from her office, Hurley said Bing has not attempted to reach her since the birth, and added that she has maintained all along her amenability to conducting a paternity test, according to the news service. "Elizabeth has always made it clear that she is willing to participate in paternity tests and is extremely distressed that Stephen is attempting to resolve these personal issues publicly," the statement reads.