December 14, 2006 10:55

Yoko Ono in 'blackmail incident'

Driver arrested after allegations are made in New York

Yoko Ono's driver has been arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill and tried to blackmail her.

Koral Karsan's blackmail attempt allegedly took place on the 26th anniversary of John Lennon's death.

He is believed to have sent a letter with a photograph of Ono in her nightclothes, saying that he would release further photos and audio tapes of private conversations with him in the public domain unless she paid him $2m (£1.02m).

Her chauffeur also allegedly talked about killing the late Beatle's widow and her son Sean in a conversation which was recorded by investigators.

Karsan has denied the claims and while being led into a New York police station he said: "No. No way."

The chauffeur worked for Ono for six years and drove her around almost on a daily basis, reports BBC News.

Ono's spokesperson Eliot Mintz said: "For an employee - especially a trusted employee who drove her - to attempt a shakedown has left her just absolutely shocked. You're reminded that this takes place around that time of the anniversary, when she is in a particularly vulnerable position. It just adds insult to injury. This one's really cold."

Lennon was shot dead by Mark Champman on December 8 in 1980.