Murphy fires back at Mel B in statement

Eddie Murphy has hit back at former girlfriend Mel B's claims that they planned to start a family together.

The Spice Girls star insisted her four-month-old baby, Angel Iris, was no mistake during a press conference held after she filed paternity papers against Murphy in Los Angeles earlier this week.

She said, "She (Angel Iris) will always know that she was planned and wanted by the both of us."

But actor/comedian Murphy has begged to differ in a statement released on Friday, in which he responds to his ex-girlfriend's legal attack on him.

The statement reads, "Eddie Murphy always has and will continue to honor his responsibilities as a father. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Brown dated very briefly and never made any plans of ANY sort.

"He acknowledges paternity of the child Angel, and has paid child support to Ms. Brown as well as covering the expenses of her pregnancy.

"Mr. Murphy views this as a private matter and as such, will not be making any further comments about it."

Baby Angel was born on April 3 and a subsequent DNA test established Murphy, who is now engaged to producer Tracey Edmonds, as the father.

The statement from the actor/comedian comes a day after Brown and Murphy's ex-wife Nicole were spotted dining together at Hollywood restaurant The Ivy.