Following days of intense internet speculation, Pitpass can confirm that lawyers representing BusinessF1 editor, Tom Rubython, have contacted award winning author, poet and playwright, Dr Mike Lawrence, demanding the withdrawal of an article he wrote for the website in October 2005.

Reports regarding the action first surfaced on the internet earlier this week, with claims that Lawrence was being "leaned on" to withdraw the article.

It is understood that in addition to the withdrawal of the article, Mr Rubython's lawyers are demanding an apology from Dr Lawrence, together with costs.

Speaking from his Chichester home, 64-year-old Lawrence (right) said: "There is nothing for me to answer." He then revealed that although he had received a letter from Mr Rubython's lawyers, together with a list of demands, the company had failed to include the list of "factual inaccuracies", on which the proposed action is based.

A controversial figure, Mr Rubython was recently in court three times in one week, on two occasions in the same court (Number 13) and before the same Judge (Justice Eady). The cases, in which he and BusinessF1 were co-defendants, involved Michael Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, Jenson Button's management (Essentially Sport) and FIA Communications Manager, Richard Woods.