Taylor Swift donates $250k to Kesha 'as show of support' during ongoing legal battle with Dr Luke

Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha Credit: PA

Pop star Taylor Swift has made a $250,000 (£177,000) donation to fellow singer Kesha as a show of support as she battles to be released from a contract with the producer she claims sexually assaulted her.

Kesha has been locked in a lengthy court battle with Dr Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald) after claiming he raped, assaulted and physically attacked her when she was 18 years old.

She had petitioned the court to allow her a temporary break from her contract with Sony which would allow her to return to the recording studio without having to work with him, but judges ruled it would undermine the existing contract laws.

Dr Luke has always denied the claims, claiming the Tik Tok singer had fabricated the allegations to try to get out of her contract.

Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to Kesha Credit: PA

The star broke down in tears as the judgement was read out, and a number of celebrities have since come forward to offer their support, while fans held a protest outside the New York Supreme Court.

Others have been using the hashtag #FreeKesha to call for the judgement to be reversed.

Kesha's contract with Sony obliges her to make six further albums with the company - but she claims bosses have told her they will not promote her work unless she makes them with Dr Luke.

A representative for Swift has confirmed the donation was a show of support during the ongoing legal battle.

Kesha fans held a protest outside the court Credit: PA

Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Troye Sivan, Lorde and Miley Cyrus are among the other celebrities to have posted messages of support on social media.