Sienna Miller's mother has leapt to her defense.

The actress' mom Jo believes the criticism leveled at her daughter over her relationship with married actor Balthazar Getty is unfair and she has been left shocked by the "feeding frenzy" of abuse the "Factory Girl" star has received.

She said: "You can't understand how a woman seeing a man who has been separated from his wife for months can cause such a scandal."

"It's awful. I can't tell you. You don't know when it is going to stop."

Jo - who was introduced to Balthazar, 38, last weekend - also praised people who have called for an end to the criticism 26-year-old Sienna has received.

She added to Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "Thank goodness people are starting to see the hypocrisy of it all."

"I know it makes Sienna pleased to read these things. It means a lot to her when there's so much negativity and criticism around."

Balthazar released a statement last month confirming he had split with wife Rosetta - who he has four children with - after he was seen enjoying a romantic holiday in Italy with Sienna.

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