Following the shocking revelations yesterday that John Galliano is currently being counter-sued by his former lawyer, Stéphane Zerbib, for defamation, a source close to the former Dior designer revealed Galliano is more interested in focusing on his own recovery than his dispute with Zerbib.

“Sadly we are part of a litigious society,” said the spokesperson. “These latest developments are all a huge blow to Mr Galliano; to discover a trusted ‘friend’ has been abusing his position over a number of years is such a disappointment – but Mr Galliano needs to continue to focus on his rehab and recovery and his team cannot be distracted by Mr Zerbib’s noise when there is legal defence to prepare.

“Officially there is ‘no comment’ as this is now in the hands of Mr Galliano’s new criminal lawyer Aurélien Hamelle at Metzner associates in Paris.”

Galliano is to be notified on May 12th when his official trial is set to commence in Paris, reports Vogue UK.