Bale makes a plea for privacy

In his first public comments since allegations that he assaulted his mother and sister at a London hotel, actor Christian Bale asked for privacy Thursday.

The Welsh-born actor brushed off questions about the alleged family dispute, saying he preferred to focus on the blockbuster movie “The Dark Knight,” which had its premiere in Spain on Wednesday.

“It’s a deeply personal matter,” Bale said at a news conference in Barcelona. “I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter.”

The 34-year-old actor spent four hours talking to British police Tuesday after allegations he assaulted his mother and one of his three sisters in his suite at London’s Dorchester Hotel two days earlier. He was released on bail, but not charged.

Bale had said earlier through his lawyers that the assault allegations were false.