Australian police investigate sexual assault allegations against Katy Perry

Australian police have started investigating sexual assault allegations by Australian actress Ruby Rose against US pop star Katy Perry.

Melbourne-born actress Ruby Rose, known for her role in the TV sitcom Orange is the New Black, claimed in a series of now-deleted social media posts that she was assaulted by the singer at a Melbourne nightclub nearly 20 years ago.

The singer is set to headline this year’s Isle of MTV in Malta, an annual open-air concert usually staged in July at the Floriana Granaries, which is expected to draw thousands of attendees.

Following the allegations, Perry has denied the claims, with a spokesperson claiming, “they are not only categorically false, but they are also dangerous, reckless lies.”

The actor moved to delete the posts containing the allegations, saying she had been asked by police not to discuss the case further. "As of this afternoon, I have finalised all of my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved," she said.

In a statement to local Australian media, the Victoria state police said they were "investigating a historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010.”

Perry, a 13-time Grammy nominee, is among the most commercially successful pop artists of her generation, with a catalogue of global hits including Roar, Firework, California Gurls, and I Kissed a Girl. Her 2010 album Teenage Dream made chart history by producing five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.