Noel Clarke has lost his libel case against The Guardian, regarding their reports of alleged sexual assault by the actor.
In 2023, the filmmaker sued Guardian News and Media (GNM) for defamation after a number of articles published by the newspaper in 2021. The articles featured claims from several women who accused him of verbal abuse, bullying, and sexual assault. BAFTA suspended his membership and Outstanding Contribution To Cinema award shortly after the articles were published.
At the time, Clarke released a statement saying: “I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations”.
When filed, the defamation suit sought damages for financial and reputational damage. The suit said that “the impact on him financially has been devastating” and that he has “not had one single work contract” since the allegations were made.
In January, a judge rejected Clarke’s request to have The Guardian’s defence struck out in a court case between the two parties. In 2022, he would bring a defamation lawsuit against BAFTA, but he later dropped the case.
Today (August 22), BBC News reported that Clarke’s libel claim was dismissed by the judge, Mrs Justice Steyn, who said The Guardian had “succeeded in defending its stories on the grounds of truth and publication in the public interest”.
According to the judgement, Steyn remarked: “I have accepted some of Mr Clarke’s evidence… but overall I find that he was not a credible or reliable witness”.
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katherine Viner, said in a statement: “We welcome the decision of the High Court today, in a judgment handed down by Mrs Justice Steyn in the case of Noel Clarke vs Guardian News & Media. The judge ruled, in extremely clear language, that The Guardian’s reporting was substantially true, and our belief that the reporting was in the public interest was undoubtedly reasonable”.
“This judgment is a deserved victory for those women who suffered because of the behaviour of Noel Clarke. Going to court is difficult and stressful, yet more than 20 women agreed to testify in the High Court, refusing to be bullied or intimidated”.
“This is also a landmark judgment for Guardian journalism, and for investigative journalism in Britain. It was important to fight this case. This was a deeply-researched investigation by some of The Guardian’s best reporters, who worked diligently and responsibly. The judgment is clear that our investigation was thorough and fair, a template for public interest journalism”.
“I hope today will give encouragement to other women in similar situations who have been too fearful to raise their voices for fear of the consequences.”
Known for his role in TV show Doctor Who, as well as the films Kidulthood, and Fisherman’s Friends, Clarke has not acted since the allegations were made.
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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