Rapper attacks child court ruling

P Diddy said he will take the matter to the Court of Appeals

Rapper P Diddy has said he will appeal against a court ruling ordering him to pay $21,782 (£11,910) each month to support his 11-year-old son.

The performer, whose real name is Sean Combs, said the case was an attack on his character.

The increase in payments to ex-partner Misa Hylton-Brim was approved last month by New York State Supreme Court.

Ms Hylton-Brim's lawyers said she had already proved in court she needed the cash to look after their son.

'Good father'

Representatives of both Mr Combs and Ms Hylton-Brim say it is the highest child support payment in state history.

Mr Combs said: "It's not about money. I don't care how much money I have.

"I do take care of my child to my fullest, that's something that should be rewarded. It's not something that should be handled this way."

Mr Combs said he also pays for his son's health insurance, school fees, holiday and clothing, in addition to the child support.

But Ms Hylton-Brim's lawyer, Brett Kimmel, said his client had proven in court that she needs more money.

"His claim that $5,112 (£2,800) should do the trick is obviously unreasonable, was not upheld by any court anywhere, and I dare say is reason enough to explain why she felt she needed to go to a court in the first place," he said.

But he added: "I don't think anybody has ever indicated in court and otherwise that he [Mr Combs] is not a good father and he doesn't care about his son."

Mr Combs also pays child support to his girlfriend, Kim Porter, the mother of his second child, Christian.