Court papers filed in a High Court defamation case set out allegations against former world champion boxer Amir Khan and his wife Faryal Makhdoom, which both deny.
The documents form part of the legal defence filed by women’s rights activist Faaryal Hussain in response to defamation proceedings brought by Khan, 39, and Makhdoom, 33. The couple say the allegations are false, defamatory and malicious, and say they will contest them.
In the defence, Hussain denies defaming the couple and argues that statements she published in social media posts, a podcast interview and an online petition were true.
The court papers allege Khan exchanged explicit messages with a number of women and that one woman, identified in the documents as Woman B, was contacted by him in 2022 before later travelling to Dubai. The defence alleges they had consensual sex on at least two occasions and claims that on one occasion Khan filmed the encounter on a mobile phone without her consent. Khan’s lawyers deny that allegation.
The defence also contains allegations involving another woman, identified as Woman A, who is described in the papers as a beautician and social media influencer. It is alleged Khan contacted her on Instagram in 2023, continued the conversation on WhatsApp and sent intimate photographs. The papers further allege he offered her financial assistance and asked her to travel to Dubai. His lawyers deny those claims.
The filed defence also refers to allegations involving other women, including claims that messages and photographs were sent in separate exchanges in 2016, 2022 and 2023. The papers also contain allegations that Makhdoom contacted or threatened some of the women after learning of the alleged interactions. Her lawyers deny those claims.
According to the defence, two of the women suffered serious emotional distress after the alleged incidents. One is said to have posted a video online saying she felt suicidal. These claims are also disputed by the couple.
Khan and Makhdoom say Hussain’s statements caused serious reputational and financial harm. The claim says the allegations contributed to the BBC cancelling a fourth series of Meet The Khans and affected other media opportunities. The couple are seeking damages and an injunction to stop further publication of the allegations.
The papers state that Khan and Makhdoom intend to file a formal reply to Hussain’s defence. The case is expected to be heard in January next year.