THE spectre of a multi-million pound lawsuit no longer hangs over Liverpool FC from former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, it can be revealed today.

In a statement to the Daily Post, the former owners have declared for the first time they are not interested in pursuing new owners Fenway Sports Group.

Instead, their latest legal action in the High Court seeks damages from former Liverpool FC directors Sir Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow, current managing director Ian Ayre and the Royal Bank of Scotland for agreeing to the sale.

The trio were former directors of Kop Football (Holdings) Limited, the company used by Hicks and Gillett to control the football club.

Hicks has always maintained that the club was sold for £300m against his will in an “epic swindle”.

In a statement, Hicks’s representatives said: “Tom Hicks and George Gillett are pursuing claims for damages and compensation against RBS and former directors of Kop Football (Holdings) Limited Sir Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre.

“They are not bringing any action against the club and the club is not a party to the legal proceedings.

“A claim for £1bn was made in the past. That claim was made in legal proceedings in Texas that were discontinued last October in accordance with an Order of the High Court.”

No claim for £1bn has been made in the UK and the damages being sought in the UK are yet to be quantified.

While the club may not be directly in the firing line, the court case remains a huge off-field distraction.

The Daily Post understands that the club, RBS, Sir Martin, Mr Ayre, and Mr Purslow are confident they have a strong case and the court will not find any wrongdoing.