Fed: Darren Hayes denies racial abuse allegations

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Darren Hayes denies racial abuse allegations

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - Australian pop star Darren Hayes has strongly denied allegations
he racially abused a waiter at a Thai restaurant in London.

Hayes, 35, is accused of racially abusing a staff member at the Busaba Eathai restaurant
in Soho on July 22.

The attack did not involve physical violence, but is believed to have been directed
at a male member of staff, Fairfax reports today.

Scotland Yard confirmed that a 35-year-old man was arrested by Westminster police on
suspicion of racially abusing a member of staff.

"He was arrested after voluntarily attending a Central London police station by appointment,"

the statement said.

"He has been released on bail pending further inquiries, until the 21st of September."

The former Savage Garden frontman today posted a statement from his solicitor on his
website, denying the allegations.

"Darren is unable to comment to any extent as the incident is presently under investigation
by the police, with whom he has cooperated fully," the statement said.

"However, he is deeply upset at the allegation, which he strenuously denies, and anyone
who knows Darren will recognise that the particular nature of the allegation is totally
abhorrent to him and contrary to everything for which he has stood."

AAP jlw/evt/cdh

KEYWORD: HAYES

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