Producer Dr Luke speaks out about Kesha rape claims in series of tweets

The music producer accused by Kesha of sexual assault has broken his silence by posting a string of tweets about the case.

In them Dr Luke, whose real name is Luckas Gottwald, denies raping the singer or having sex with her.

The allegations date back to 2005 when she was 18, soon after she signed with Dr Luke. He has never been charged.

Until now he hasn't commented on the case but on Monday night decided to have his say.

"I didn't rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her. Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister."

Across 22 tweets he said Kesha had been "like my little sister" and that lawsuits "should be resolved in court not here on Twitter".

He said the only person who knew the "true fact" of the case was the judge.

Kesha has argued that she doesn't want to record any new music with Dr Luke's label, which is owned by Sony Music. She wants to work in a different division of Sony.

Dr Luke has also worked with Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus

Twenty-three thousand people have signed a petition aimed at the record company, urging them to release her from the contract.

He says "it's sad she turned a contract negotiation in to something so horrendous and untrue".

Taylor Swift has lent her support to Kesha donating $250,000 (£176,000) to help her pay for legal fees against her former producer.

He fears the claims made against him are damaging his reputation.

He tweeted: "Imagine if you or somebody you loved was publicly accused of a rape you knew they didn't do."

Then went on to say: "I have 3 sisters, a daughter, and a son with my girlfriend, and a feminist mom who raised me right."

Kesha's lawyers were unavailable to comment on the tweets.

The case is still ongoing as the judge has held off a decision on dismissing both sets of claims until a later date.

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