Bale calls family legal matter 'private'

BARCELONA , Spain, July 25 (UPI) -- While speaking to reporters in Barcelona, Spain, about his new movie "The Dark Knight," film star Christian Bale declined to discuss his recent arrest.

"It's a deeply personal matter," People.com quoted Bale as saying at at a news conference Thursday in Barcelona. "I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter."

Bale was arrested Tuesday in London after his mother and sister filed an assault complaint in connection with an incident that allegedly took place Sunday night at the Dorchester Hotel.

Bale, who has denied the allegations, was ordered to appear at a London police station in September pending further inquiries.

The BBC said the Welsh-born actor spent about 30 minutes Wednesday night signing autographs for fans at the Barcelona premiere of his latest movie, which is a blockbuster in the United States.

Although he declined to comment on his recent family and legal troubles at that event, Bale smiled and appeared relaxed before the film was shown, the BBC said.