Actor Noel Clarke has lost his libel case against The Guardian, after he appealed against the newspaper’s publisher for printing allegations regarding his sexual misconduct.
Noel Clarke is a renowned British actor, writer, director, and producer. The star took The Guardian newspaper and media (GNM) to court after the newspaper printed a series of stories in 2021. The newspaper had been publishing that Clarke used his power in the film and TV industry to harass women.
Before the newspaper published its reports on his sexual misconduct, Noel Clarke was a massive success story in the UK film and TV industry.
On Friday, the judge dismissed Noel Clarke’s allegations against the Guardian newspaper and said the newspaper had succeeded in defending its stories for the public interest.
The editor of The Guardian welcomed the decision regarding the libel case, describing that as a deserved victory for those women who suffered. While Clarke described the court’s decision as disappointing. He stated that he had never claimed to be perfect. However, further added that he was not the person as described in the paper’s articles.
The judgment revealed that each of the newspaper’s articles was published on the grounds of truth.
The Doctor Who Star, Clarke, had been seeking 70 million Pounds in damages.
According to the BBC News, Clarke’s team had stated accusations that he was a continuing abuser of women. The newspaper made this statement across various articles.
In response, The Guardian’s team defended, saying that it was a careful and thorough investigation conducted by its journalists. There were 18 accounts of Clarke’s victims provided in court.
The Guardian’s write-up of today’s news revealed that the judgment means Clarke, who stated his acting career had collapsed because of the published articles, faces a hefty legal bill and may also need to pay a massive amount of the newspaper’s legal costs.
During the trial of the case, Clarke gave evidence over more than three days and denied that he behaved inappropriately with the women.
The judge said that Clarke’s conspiracy allegations did not have a solid foundation. However, a large body of witnesses gave evidence against him.
Noel Clarke is best known for his debut movie performance in Kidulthood (2006), and its sequels Adulthood and Brotherhood. Some notable Noel Clarke movie and TV shows include The Bill, Casualty, Judge John Deed, Doctor Who, Where Do We Live, and Viewpoint.