Gabriel Aubry Fires Back At Halle Berry In Ongoing Custody War

The war between two of entertainment’s prettiest people is getting very ugly. Handsome model Gabriel Aubry has fired back at his ex-girlfriend — Oscar winner Halle Berry — as the parents prepare for nasty custody fight over their young daughter, Nahla.

On Tuesday, attorneys for Aubry blasted the Monster’s Ball star as “irresponsible” after her legal team released a statement the day before branding Gabriel an unfit dad. In fact, Halle says she dropped out an appearance in the ensemble comedy New Year’s Eve to take Aubry, 35, to court over her “serious concerns” about Nahla, almost 3, when she is in her father’s care.

“While Gabriel is disappointed in Halle’s decision to falsely malign him publicly and for her own purposes, he refuses to be pulled into her dispute over a canceled film production. Gabriel also refuses to air their issues in the press as he believes this may ultimately harm their daughter. The fact is that Gabriel is a caring father who shares custody of Nahla,” Aubry’s attorney wrote in a statement to Access Hollywood this week.

“Gabriel fully believes that a consistent and balanced living situation and two loving parents are crucial for their child even if Ms. Berry feels otherwise. He will always defend his rights as a father and will always consider Nahla’s best interest. Halle’s continuing allegations in the press are untrue and irresponsible.”

While Team Berry tells TMZ.com that Gabriel is a jealous mooch who’s insecurity was a driving force in his split from Halle last April, friends of the Canadian accuse the screen stunner of using Nahla as “bait” to manipulate his ex.

Sounds juicy. Let’s dish.

“The real trouble started last year when Gabriel started dating a high profile reality TV star. Halle totally lost it with Gabriel and gave him an ultimatum – to choose between dating this girl or having a relationship with his daughter,” an unidentified friend of Gabriel’s explained in a chat with RadarOnline.com this week, alluding to the hunk’s shortlived romance with socialite Kim Kardashian.

“Gabriel was furious. Halle has absolutely no right to tell him who he can and can’t date, especially when you consider she’s already moved on herself and is dating Olivier Martinez, but even worse in his mind, was her willingness to dangle their daughter in front of him as bait to make him do what she demands.”

The source adds: “The problem was that they had no legal custody agreement in place so he was pretty much at her mercy as to when he got to see their daughter. So, he did what she wanted – he broke it off with the girl – but then he started legal proceedings to set up his custody rights so Halle couldn’t pull that crap on him again. Gabriel will do anything and everything to keep his daughter in his life. He loves her more than life itself and he will move heaven and earth to ensure she’s safe, balanced and happy.”

Who’s side are you on?