He's not my son says the Man from Uncle

As a young millionaire engaged to marry supermodel Claudia Schiffer, film producer Matthew Vaughn appears to have it all.

But just a month before his lavish showbusiness wedding, Vaughn's movie star father Robert has sent shockwaves through his life by claiming: 'Matthew is not my son.'

The star of the Sixties TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. yesterday chose to break his silence over why he has played no part in his son's life since his birth 31 years ago.

Vaughn senior, now 70, spoke candidly for the first time about how he has known all along that Matthew, now business partner to Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie, is not his son.

'The matter was resolved in the Eighties in America, both scientifically and legally in the Superior Court of Los Angeles,' he said. 'The litigant lost. I'm not the father.'

The statement goes some way to explaining Vaughn's actions following Matthew's birth in Beverly Hills in March 1971.

Matthew's mother Kathy Ceaton, daughter of a property tycoon, was living with Vaughn at the time and it was widely accepted he was the father.

Initially Vaughn doted on Matthew, insisting he took his surname and writing him affectionate letters after Miss Ceaton returned to England with him.

But just before his first birthday, when he was ordered to pay £191 a month in child support, the actor abruptly severed all contact. He has had little contact since and last saw Matthew when he was 11. There were signs before then that all was not well - half way through the pregnancy it was rumoured that Vaughn had started an affair with his present wife Linda Staab.

Vaughn now says the reason for his actions was that he had learned Matthew was not his son.

'It is available at the public records office,' he said. 'If you wish to go to the Superior Court of Los Angeles, you will see what I have said - DNA and all.'

While not shedding any light on who the 'real father' may be, the revelation will come as a shock to Matthew and his mother, now 54.

Matthew has always been reluctant to talk about his estranged father and it is unclear whether he was aware of his claims before yesterday.

His mother only recently argued that Vaughn's decision to break contact had much to do with his subsequent marriage to Linda Staab.

'Robert insisted that Matthew adopted his surname,' she said. 'He never denied paternity and used to buy beautiful presents for our baby. Then Linda arrived in this country and Robert stopped seeing me but still saw Matthew.

'This went on for months. Then Robert went back to America and has ignored Matthew ever since. Robert would just like to forget about Matthew's existence.'

What is certain is that the revelation could not come at a worse time for Matthew.

The man who masterminded the success of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is due to marry Miss Schiffer at Skibo Castle in Scotland on May 25.

The wedding promises to be a lavish affair with a star-studded guest list including Madonna and Ritchie, and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

Matthew, a former public schoolboy, has forged a successful career in film production without trading on his father's name.

He was unavailable for comment last night.