• Liam Payne's friend Roger Nores has filed a defamation lawsuit against the singer's father, Geoff Payne.
• Nores claims that Geoff made false statements to Argentine authorities regarding Liam's death.
• The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages, which Nores intends to donate to Liam's son, Bear.
• Five individuals have been charged in relation to Liam's death, including allegations of negligence.

In a significant legal development surrounding the tragic death of Liam Payne, Roger Nores, a close friend of the late One Direction star, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Geoff Payne, Liam's father. The lawsuit was filed in Florida and asserts that Geoff made "false" and "misleading" statements to Argentine prosecutors investigating Liam's untimely demise. Nores, who describes himself as a "dear friend" of Liam, claims that these statements have adversely affected his reputation to an extraordinary degree ([USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/17/liam-payne-roger-nores-lawsuit-dad-geoff/77770684007/)).

In the legal complaint, Nores alleges that he had no legal obligation to care for Payne, emphasizing that Liam was an independent adult making his own choices. This claim comes after he was charged with manslaughter in December, accused of dereliction of duty during the singer's final moments. Reports from the Coroner's office have determined that Liam's cause of death was "multiple trauma" resulting from a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where both Nores and Geoff were implicated ([BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyppjy449wo)).

Nores is seeking damages of $10 million, which he has pledged to donate to Liam's son, Bear, whom he shared with singer Cheryl. In his suit, he challenges the accuracy of Geoff's declarations, which he contends misrepresented his relationship with Liam by suggesting he had caretaker responsibilities when, in fact, he had never been paid or employed by Liam.

In a statement, Nores insists that both Geoff and Liam's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, were responsible for Liam's care in the months leading to his death, noting they had "the capacity, opportunity, and superior knowledge" to intervene where he could not. This contradiction paints a picture of a complex narrative surrounding the tragic events leading to Liam's passing—a narrative that has now entered the court system with severe implications for all involved.

As the inquest into Liam Payne's death continues, scheduled for a preliminary review on November 6, the allegations against Nores and others accused of negligence remain under intense scrutiny. The investigation details how Liam was found with traces of substances such as alcohol and cocaine, pointing toward a troubling backdrop of addiction and neglect ([USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/17/liam-payne-roger-nores-lawsuit-dad-geoff/77770684007/)). Authorities have indicated that the fall was not voluntary, igniting further debate about duty of care and responsibility among friends in such fraught circumstances.

Overall, the legal proceedings following Liam's death are set to unveil more about a painful chapter in the lives of those close to the singer and raise crucial questions about support and accountability during critical moments.