David and Victoria Beckham moved to stem speculation about their private life yesterday by instructing solicitors over "absurd" claims about the England football captain's alleged infidelities.
After nine days of newspaper claims from women who say they have had affairs with David Beckham, the couple flew back to Britain from Spain to issue a statement which ridiculed the stories but did not specifically condemn them as untrue.
"This weekend a series of even more absurd and unsubstantiated claims have been published about David and Victoria Beckham," the statement said. "The couple continue to dismiss these stories and they will not be commenting upon them further at this time. Lawyers have been instructed by David and Victoria concerning these matters."
The statement was the result of week-long discussions between David Beckham and his advisers. It was issued by 19 Management, the agency which represents Victoria Beckham.
But if David Beckham and his advisers hoped to generate fear or contrition at the News of the World, whose reporters have done so much to highlight the claims of his tormentors and the pornographic potential of text messaging, they were disappointed.
Hayley Barlow, the paper's spokeswoman, said: "We note a further dismissive statement issued today by the Beckham camp, this time on behalf of both Mr and Mrs Beckham.
"The News of the World's position remains totally unchanged. Once again we stand by our reports 100% - our revelations speak for themselves."
The two announcements were released amid mounting tension.
After the first tranche of allegations, which centred on David Beckham's former PA Rebecca Loos, he merely said the stories were "ludicrous".
But following the publication of more "sex and text" allegations on Sunday - the starring role now assumed by Australian barrister's daughter Sarah Marbeck - the Beckhams promised to speak out.
Reporters and photographers waited all day outside the couple's Hertfordshire mansion, known as Beckingham Palace. For hours they had little to show for their perseverance. Though the family were apparently throwing an early birthday party for Victoria Beckham - who is 30 on Saturday - the only sightings were of David Beckham playing with his children and a distant glimpse of the family.
Ms Loos has reportedly been offered £500,000 to tell her story on television. Ms Marbeck has also been handsomely paid.
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