Roger Nores Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Liam Payne’s Father
Asuir, Benue, Nigeria – Roger Nores, a friend of the late singer Liam Payne, has voluntarily withdrawn his $10 million defamation lawsuit against Payne’s father, Geoff Payne. The dismissal was filed on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, in Florida, where the lawsuit was originally lodged in January.
The legal action stemmed from statements Geoff Payne allegedly made to Argentinian authorities investigating his son’s tragic death in October 2024. In the sworn declarations, Geoff Payne reportedly suggested that Nores was responsible for Liam’s care in the lead-up to the incident in Buenos Aires. Nores, who was briefly charged with manslaughter in connection with Payne’s death before the charges were dropped in February, vehemently denied these allegations, claiming he was merely a “dear mutual friend” and had no legal duty of care towards the singer.
In the lawsuit, Nores argued that Geoff Payne’s statements were “false, contained material omissions, and many parts were not based on personal knowledge,” causing significant damage to his reputation. He had sought over $10 million in damages, stating his intention to donate any net financial proceeds to Liam Payne’s son, Bear.
However, court documents filed this week indicate that Nores has now voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit “without prejudice,” meaning he retains the option to refile it in the future. While the specific reasons for the withdrawal haven’t been explicitly stated in the filing, sources suggest a potential desire from Nores to move forward and focus on personal healing following the traumatic events and legal battles.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in January, Nores had stated that Geoff Payne “need[ed] to backtrack on his statements.” However, recent reports indicate a possible shift in Nores’ stance, with some suggesting he expressed a desire to move on from the legal conflict.
Geoff Payne and Liam’s estate had strongly refuted the defamation claims, asserting that Geoff was simply cooperating with the Argentinian authorities in their investigation. The estate had even suggested that Nores’ lawsuit was an attempt to interfere with the investigation.
The withdrawal of the defamation lawsuit marks another development in the complex aftermath of Liam Payne’s tragic passing. While this particular legal battle has been paused, the underlying grief and questions surrounding the circumstances of the singer’s death continue to resonate. The possibility of future legal action from Nores remains open, leaving a degree of uncertainty in this ongoing and sensitive situation.