FBI evaluating abuse allegations against Brad Pitt

The FBI says that it is evaluating child abuse allegations involving Brad Pitt and his family aboard a private flight.

A spokesperson for the agency said it is still assessing whether to open its own investigation into allegations Pitt was abusive during the flight towards one of his six children.

The announcement from the FBI comes amid reports that the Hollywood actor is allegedly under investigation by social services for getting "verbally abusive and physical" with his children.

The 52-year-old is said to have "got wasted" on a private jet the family were travelling on last Wednesday.

It was this incident which prompted his wife Angelina Jolie to file for divorce, according to US gossip site TMZ.

Sources told the site he "went wild, screaming and getting physical with his kids".

It is claimed he continued ranting on the tarmac after the plane had landed - and that he even attempted to leave in a fuel truck.

The incident is said to have been anonymously reported to the LA County Department of Children and Family Services.

Both Jolie and Pitt are believed to have already been interviewed and the department are said to have plans to interview the children as part of an ongoing investigation.

A source close to Pitt told TMZ: "He takes the matter very seriously and says he did not commit any abuse of his children.

"It's unfortunate that people involved are continuing to present him in the worst possible light."

ITV News has contacted Brad Pitt's representatives for comment.