Andrew Tate's lawyer dismisses new claims in UK prosecutors' filing

Andrew Tate's legal team is pushing back hard on new allegations from British prosecutors.

In court papers filed Tuesday, UK prosecutors allege that Tate had obscene images on his electronic devices, including videos involving animals and violent sexual content. The filing also includes allegations involving other illegal images, which Tate's side denies.

The defense

Tate's attorney, Joseph McBride, said Tate called the animal-related allegation nonsense and insisted his client has no interest in such material.

McBride's account is that police found a phone years ago during a raid in the UK and that it contained a group chat in which several mixed martial arts fighters were posting shocking videos to gross each other out. He says there is no evidence Tate sent the videos, watched them or appeared in them. He adds that prosecutors no longer have the phone, relying instead on a report about its contents.

The bigger case

Tate and his brother, Tristan, were arrested by federal agents in Miami in July on UK charges that include rape, human trafficking and controlling prostitution, according to reports. Britain formally requested their extradition in September. The brothers remain in custody in Miami as they fight extradition and they deny the charges.