Court hears Noel Clarke has been “completely exiled” amid libel trial
British actor Noel Clarke has appeared in the High Court for the beginning of his libel trial against Guardian News and Media who he is suing for £70 million in a libel trial.
In 2021, Clarke was the subject of seven articles and a podcast by The Guardian regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. One specific article, published in April 2021, alleged that 20 women had accused Clarke of acting inappropriately in a professional capacity.
In a written submission, Clarke’s barrister, Philip Williams, alleged that the actor “has clearly established the falsity of all of the allegations”. He also said the coverage of the allegations against Clarke were not published “in an even-handed tone”, continuing, “As journalists, the defendant did not simply call for an inquiry, it played the role of judge, jury and executioner of the claimant’s career and reputation.”
Clarke, who appeared in various hit programmes and films such as Doctor Who, Kidulthood, and Bulletproof, hasn’t worked as an actor since the allegations were aired.
Williams stated: “Since the publication, he has become completely exiled from the film industry and is perceived as a criminal by all those who previously trusted and worked with him.”
Meanwhile, Gavin Millar KC, who is the legal representative for Guardian News and Media, insisted in a written submission that the publication had “ample evidence” their reporting was accurate. said in written submissions that there is ‘ample evidence’ that all of the articles were true or substantially true.
Miller wrote: “The defendant will adduce evidence from 16 women who experienced the claimant’s misconduct first-hand, some of them on multiple occasions. There is no motive for them to lie and the claimant has not suggested any, beyond making wild allegations as to an alleged conspiracy.”
The KC continued: “These witnesses have remained willing to give their evidence voluntarily despite the fact that, over the course of litigation, the claimant has published a number of statements on social media and elsewhere expressly or impliedly denigrating those who have made allegations against him.”
During the course of the trial, 16 women are expected to give purported evidence on behalf of The Guardian to substantiate their reporting of alleged harassment, unwanted sexual conduct and sexual assault.
The trial is expected to last six weeks.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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