Basinger to fight tough

Kim Basinger has fired the man called in to settle her divorce from film star Alec Baldwin.

The couple were working with an arbitrator to avoid legal fees and headlines that might embarrass their eightyearold daughter, Ireland.

Now, the couple face a public trial next year.

A friend of Baldwin said: 'He was trying to protect his daughter. But, once the arbitrator started ruling against Kim, she found a loophole and had him fired.'

Basinger's publicist said the case would end up in court if Baldwin did not accept a report by an independent evaluator.

The report recommended 50-yearold Basinger had custody of Ireland while Baldwin had visiting rights.

It also exonerated the actress of allegations made by Baldwin, 44, and acknowledged Basinger lived in an emotionally and physically abusive marriage for ten years, said the spokesman. 'Ms Basinger has accepted this report,' he added. 'The only reason the case would end up in court would be if Mr Baldwin rejects the report or continues to make false allegations against Ms Basinger, which would therefore only cause additional distress to their daughter.'

Basinger is expected to claim her hot-tempered husband was ' emotionally and physically abusive'.

Last year, Baldwin's brother Billy called Basinger a 'black widow' and a 'nutcase' after the National Enquirer ran a story alleging Baldwin beat her.

'Is my brother a saint? No. Is he volatile? Yes. But he is not a wifebeater,' he said.

Sources add Baldwin - nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a cynical Vegas casino owner in The Cooler - is prepared to testify he was forced to restrain Basinger when she drank herself into an alcoholic rage.

'He was trying to restrain her. Is that spousal abuse?' said an insider.