Morgan Spurlock sued after admitting sexual misconduct in open letter

Morgan Spurlock — the documentary maker behind Super Size Me and One Direction: This Is Us — has been sued after admitting sexual harassment in an open letter.

Turner Entertainment Networks (TEN) filed the lawsuit against Spurlock in Los Angeles, claiming the confession scuppered their project Who Rules The World?.

The series, which would have focussed on the complicated issues facing women today including their experiences in the workplace, was set to be produced by TEN and Spurlock’s production company Warrior Poets.

The filmmaker stepped down from Warrior Poets late last year, although they remain co-defendants.

TEN claims that repeated attempts to get back funds transferred to Warrior Poets have been met with "radio silence".

Lawyers for the network accuse the 47-year-old of breaching a contract by admitting sexual misconduct and by failing to return the funds.

Last year, the filmmaker labelled himself "part of the problem” in a Twitter post detailing past sexual harassment and infidelity in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

He recounted a sexual encounter during his time at university which he believed was consensual, but the woman believed was rape.

Spurlock also admitted paying a settlement to a woman at his office who he addressed as "hot pants" or "sex pants".

YouTube Red dropped his sequel, Super Size Me 2 Holy Chicken!, after the admission.

The sum allegedly being held by Warrior Poets was not openly disclosed in the lawsuit, with part of it being under seal.

The network also asked the judge to order an injunction on the bank account to prevent funds being "depleted".

"Under information and belief, due to Spurlock's Twitter confession and the resulting fall-out from the admissions, Warrior Poets is having serious internal problems and may not have the funds to compensate TEN for the breach of contract," lawyer Neal Levin wrote.

Spurlock said he was "seeking help" and hoped to be part of the solution by admitting his wrongdoings.

Additional reporting by Press Association.