[ana-mish-ana]

Cruise book ditched by UK publishers

Monday, April 14 2008, 11:17 BST
By Alex Fletcher, Entertainment Reporter

Rex Features

Andrew Morton's unauthorised biography of Tom Cruise will not be published in the UK.

Macmillan said the the book was not a "good read" after omitting potentially libelous segments due to criticism from the Church of Scientology.

The book was released in America earlier this year amid controversy and reached the top of several bestseller lists.

A Macmillan source told the Daily Telegraph: "Although it was published in America, Cruise had so many complaints that by the time our lawyers had been through it, there was nothing left but red ink.

"We have explored every possible option, but have concluded that once the potentially defamatory sections are taken out, there is not enough left to make a good read.

"Understandably, Andrew is very upset, but apparently he thinks that he may have more luck with another publisher. Good luck to him."

The writer and US publishers St Martin's Press have been threatened with legal action, but the case has not been taken to court.

The book includes allegations that Cruise is the second-in-command in the Church and that he is consulted on every matter of planning and policy.

Morton also suggests that the Hollywood star picks his romantic relationships and movies to benefit the organisation's aims.

Showbiz - News - Cruise book ditched by UK publishers - Digital Spy

It looks like the libel laws are more stringent here in the UK than in the US - but despite threatening Morton and the publishers its interesting to note that they have not fully sued them.