Tamara Mellon sues mother

Tamara Mellon sues her own mother for £5m

Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon is suing her own mother for £5 million, over a dispute regarding the luxury shoe company.

Miss Mellon has accused her mother, Ann Yeardye, of hiding assets from the business. The two have been estranged since the company was sold in 2004, and a civil lawsuit was served this Wednesday in a LA court.

Currently on holiday in Africa with boyfriend Christian Slater, Miss Mellon relased the following statement, 'It is with immense sadness that I take this action, but I see no other way to protect my daughter's interests, which are my paramount concern. The property in question was to help secure my daughter's future, and I am baffled by my mother's refusal to return assets which rightfully do not belong to her. The action I have initiated today seems the only course available to me.'

Mellon's lawyer Bert Fields explained that followng the sale of Jimmy Choo, Mrs Yeardye received her share of the business in cash. By accident, she was also transferred half of Miss Mellon's stock, which Mrs Yeardye is now refusing to return.

Mr Fields commented on the case, 'Tamara Mellon is a gracious lady of extraordinary talent. For years, she put her heart and soul into building the Jimmy Choo business and made it an international success. By contrast, Mrs Yeardye played no part in the development of the business, yet she wants to cling to the stock, while keeping the lion's share of the cash. The last thing Tamara wanted was this kind of family fight.'