Basinger denies phone rant leak

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin divorced in 2002

Actress Kim Basinger has denied leaking a voicemail message in which ex-husband Alec Baldwin called their daughter a "rude, thoughtless little pig".

Basinger's spokeswoman Annett Wolf said the Oscar winner "did not release the voicemail", but added that it was "not sealed under a court order".

She also revealed Basinger had hired a bodyguard for 11-year-old Ireland.

The couple have been locked in a long and bitter legal battle over access to the child since they split in 2000.

Baldwin blamed Basinger for leaking the voicemail message last week.

'On the edge'

The actor's rant, in which he accused his daughter of humiliating him, was apparently sparked by his repeated failure to reach her by telephone.

The message said: "You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being... I don't give a damn that you're 12 years old or 11 years old or that you're a child or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass."

He also threatened to "straighten your ass out" during a forthcoming visit.

In a later statement on his website, he said he was "sorry... for losing my temper with my child" and that he had been "driven to the edge by parental alienation for many years".

Kim's sincerest wish is for him to finally address his unstable and irrational behaviour Basinger statement

"Everyone who knows me privately knows that I have endured a great deal over the last several years in my custody litigation," he said.

In her statement, Basinger's spokeswoman said: "Everybody is always asking why this custody battle has been going on for so many years, and now they have the answer.

"The issue is not about Kim or the alleged alienation that Alec constantly refers to - it is about his ongoing aggressive behaviour.

"Kim's sincerest wish is for him to finally address his unstable and irrational behaviour so he, at some point, can potentially create a relationship with his daughter.

"Until then, Kim will continue to protect and safeguard her child's well-being as any parent would."

Basinger is facing trial on 12 counts of contempt for allegedly flouting court orders about Baldwin's visitation rights.

Baldwin has been ordered by Los Angeles court officials to stay away from his daughter until a hearing on 4 May.