Noel Gallagher: Liam attacked me with guitar

Noel Gallagher has launched a legal battle against his brother Liam, claiming his former Oasis bandmate attacked him with a guitar and insulted his wife.

In a 14-page document lodged at the High Court, Noel, 44, details the bitter breakdown of his relationship with 39-year-old Liam, which led to the band splitting in 2009.

He claims his younger brother left abusive voicemail messages on his wife Sarah's phone and tried to attack him while wielding a guitar "like an axe".

Noel also calls him "spiteful and childish" for mocking him on stage.

The claims have been filed in defence of a libel action by Liam, who launched a lawsuit earlier this year against Noel when he accused him of missing their 2009 V Festival gig because he was hung over. He also objected to Noel's claims that he demanded to advertise his clothing range Pretty Green in the tour programme.

Noel apologised, changing his story to say his brother was suffering from laryngitis, and many believed the matter had been brought to a close.
But Noel has now launched a robust defence with the Queen's Bench Division and the pair may end up facing each other in court next summer.

His papers also details 12 separate occasions between 1994 and 2005 in which Liam allegedly "disrupted" gigs by storming out, being drunk or getting into fights.

A spokesman for Liam said: "The matter is now in the hands of lawyers." Noel declined to comment.