Miss Campbell is accused of assaulting Georgina Galanis at a luxury hotel in Toronto - where she was on location making a film - on 9 September.

The British-born model was back in Canada on Friday to face the charge. She was finger-printed and photographed at a Toronto police station before a brief court appearance.

Miss Campbell says she will fight the assault charges made against her by someone she refers to as a "disgruntled employee".

Miss Campbell, represented by prominent Canadian lawyer Brian Greenspan, was given bail to appear in court on 11 December. She was not asked to submit a plea.

Sergeant Mike Boothby, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said: "Someone told her she was wanted by police and she made herself available.

'Shook her head violently'

Ms Galanis has filed a lawsuit against Campbell in New York - claiming millions of dollars in damages.

In the lawsuit the 39-year-old New Yorker says she worked for Miss Campbell for nine days beginning on 1 September.

She says in her last two days in the job, Miss Campbell hit her twice in the head with a telephone, punched her shoulder twice, grabbed her neck and shook her head violently.

Ms Galanis also alleges that the 28-year-old supermodel also struck her in the neck and slammed her against a wall.

Miss Campbell's spokeswoman, Marcia Horowitz, said: "These charges are nothing more than an attempt by a disgruntled employee, who was terminated for unsatisfactory performance after just one week, to make money at Naomi's expense.

"Naomi will vigorously fight these charges."

In Canada a first-time offender could be sent to jail on an assault conviction but judges have discretion.