
LONDON — The darkness around Batman has deepened: While audiences were shattering weekend box-office records in the U.S., Christian Bale was in London, where his mother and sister reportedly leveled assault allegations against the star of “The Dark Knight” that have yet to become clear.
Bale said Tuesday the allegations were false, hours after the Wales-born actor was arrested, questioned by London police and released on bail. The 34-year-old actor spent four hours talking with authorities but was not charged.
British media reported that Bale’s mother and sister told police he assaulted them at the Dorchester Hotel on Sunday night, a day before attending the European premiere of “The Dark Knight.” The Sun newspaper said the complaint was filed by Bale’s sister Sharon and mother Jenny.
A woman thought to be Bale’s sister told reporters “it’s a family matter” from her home in Corfe Mullen, 110 miles southwest of London. A man who answered the door at the home of Jenny Bale in nearby Bournemouth said she did not want to comment. The Associated Press



