HOLLYWOOD - Producer and real estate tycoon Stephen Bing is taking legal action to determine whether or not he is the father of actress Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian.Bing's spokeswoman told The Associated Press that the Hollywood producer had begun proceedings in the Family Division court on Wednesday. "Now that Ms. Hurley has had her baby," she said, "Mr. Bing is anxious to establish beyond a doubt who is the baby's father."
"If it is proved that Mr. Bing is Damian's father," she continued, "he would wish generously to support him and be involved in his upbringing."
"As he has been unable to make contact with Ms. Hurley, or any solicitors instructed in this matter by her, to discuss issues privately, he has been obliged to instruct his U.K. solicitors to issue proceedings in the Family Division in the hope of bringing these matters to a quick and amicable resolution," she added.
Hurley gave birth to the boy in London on April 4.
Since she announced her pregnancy in November, the 36-year-old Austin Powers star has been involved in a very public feud with Bing, the man she says is the baby's father.
According to Hurley, she and Bing were in an exclusive relationship when she became pregnant, but he has denied being the father and issued a public statement casting doubt on whether the baby was his. Bing says their 18-month relationship was "not exclusive."
If the baby is his, Hurley could collect millions of dollars in child support until Damian is at least 18.
Hurley's office told the AP, "Elizabeth finds Stephen's statements astonishing seeing that he hasn't made any attempt to contact her whatsoever since he was informed of Damian's birth by her sister Katie on April 4.
He has neither called her, written to her or had any mutual friends pass on any messages, " the statement said.
"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."
Five days after giving birth by cesarean in London's private Portland hospital, Hurley has reportedly been staying at singer and friend Elton John's 37-acre house in Old Windsor while she recovers.