01 November 2023 , 13:16
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Noel Clarke says he is “satisfied” following a ruling in his High Court libel battle against the publisher of the Guardian newspaper.
The actor, 47, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) for libel and data protection breaches over eight articles. The Guardian published a report in April 2021 that stated 20 women had come forward with allegations of misconduct involving Clarke. The report contained numerous allegations of bullying and sexual harassment levelled against the actor by the women, who had all known him in a professional capacity.
In a statement at the time, Clarke “vehemently” denied “any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing”. At a High Court hearing last month, Clarke's lawyer said the “overall impression” of the articles was “plainly one of guilt”. Lawyers for Clarke and the publisher made submissions over how the articles would have been understood by an average reader.
Noel Clarke appeared at the High Court during his libel case (PA)
The actor denies 'any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing' (PA)Lawyers for GNM said the articles would be read as reporting “reasonable grounds to suspect” Clarke had abused his power, bullied or sexually harassed women, rather than a direct allegation of guilt. In a ruling on Wednesday 1 November, Mr Justice Johnson said seven of the articles “mean that there are strong grounds to believe that the claimant is guilty of various forms of sexual harassment” with the eighth meaning “grounds to investigate”.
The judge also ruled all of the articles could be defamatory, which had not been disputed by GNM over seven of the pieces. Following the judgment, Mr Clarke said: “I have always disputed the content of the eight Guardian articles and I am satisfied that the High Court has now found that all eight articles issued by the defendant were defamatory in law. I look forward to now receiving the Guardian’s defence and progressing my claim for defamation in the High Court next year.”
Noel Clarke faced 'trial by media' over sexual misconduct report, court hears
In his 15-page ruling, Mr Justice Johnson found each article would be read as statements of fact, rather than opinions. He added: “I accept the claimant’s submissions that in each of the first seven articles, the allegations made against the claimant are advanced in clear terms, and that there are features of the articles that lend credibility to the allegations that are made, most notably the sheer number of women who are said to have made similar complaints.”
The judge continued: “As against that, each of the first seven articles make it clear that the claimant denies the allegations that are made. The reports of the denials are not tucked away in small print at the end of the article. They are given prominence… I do not agree that, in any of the articles, the denials are reported in a way that suggests that no credence can be attached to them.”
The actor is suing The Guardian over the "devastating" impact its report had on his career. Following the report being published, Clarke claims he lost a £585,000 fee when Sky crime series Bulletproof was dropped, in addition to £270,000 for the ITV drama Viewpoint. The Kidulthood actor and director is also claiming £8.25 million over lost share value and salary from his production company Unstoppable.