Actor Noel Clarke begins his High Court libel case against The Guardian’s publisher today.Clarke, 49, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) over a series of articles it published about him in April 2021.They were based on the claims of 20 women Clarke knew “in a professional capacity” who allege his behaviour towards them amounted to sexual misconduct.Clarke, known for his roles in the Kidulthood trilogy and Doctor Who, “vehemently” denies “any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing”.What will the trial cover?Clarke is suing GNM for libel, sometimes also referred to as defamation.It’s a civil tort – not a criminal offence – defined as false written statements that have damaged the person’s reputation. This means Clarke can seek redress or damages but no one will face charges or prison.Clarke claims the articles The Guardian published in 2021 altered public opinion of him, damaged his reputation, and lost him work.He said after the allegations emerged: “In a 20-year career, I have put inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me.”If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise. I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations.”The Guardian is defending the claim on the basis of truth and public interest.
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At a premiere in London in 2013. Pic: PA
Read more from Sky NewsJay Z sues woman who accused him of rapeBBC apologises over Gaza documentaryWhat we learnt from Meghan’s new Netflix showIt said in its statement: “Our reporting on Noel Clarke in 2021 was based on the accounts of 20 brave women. After we published our first article, more women came forward.”At trial, 32 witnesses are set to testify against Mr Clarke under oath. We look forward to a judge hearing the evidence.”The trial will only focus on liability – not the amount of damages to be paid if Clarke is successful.The actor tried and failed to get the case struck out in January, with his legal team saying it had “overwhelming evidence” of “perversion of the course of justice”.His lawyers told the High Court three of the journalists involved in the articles had “deliberately and permanently” deleted messages, which meant he could not get a fair trial.Lawyers for GNM told the court there was “no adequate evidential basis” for Clarke’s application for a strike out and said it sought “to smear Guardian journalists and editors without any proper justification”.The trial, which will be presided over by judge Mrs Justice Steyn, is expected to last between four and six weeks.
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In July 2015. Pic: PA
What has happened since the articles were published? A month before the articles about him were published in April 2021, Clarke received BAFTA’s outstanding contribution to British cinema award.However, once the allegations against him emerged, he was susp
