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Actors

Noel Clarke Loses Libel Claim Against Guardian's Publisher

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Actor Noel Clarke has suffered a major setback after losing a libel claim against the Guardian's publisher, Guardian News and Media (GNM), over allegations of misconduct made by 20 women who knew him professionally. The trial, held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, heard from multiple witnesses who made accusations against Clarke, including that he had shared nude photographs of them without their consent, groped them, and asked them to look at him when he was exposed. Clarke's barristers claimed that a conspiracy of people with financial and personal grudges against him had engineered his downfall, but the court rejected this claim.

Key Takeaways:

  • Noel Clarke, a 49-year-old actor, lost a libel claim against the Guardian's publisher, Guardian News and Media (GNM), over allegations of misconduct made by 20 women who knew him professionally.
  • The trial, held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, heard from multiple witnesses who made accusations against Clarke, including that he had shared nude photographs of them without their consent, groped them, and asked them to look at him when he was exposed.
  • Clarke's barristers claimed that a conspiracy of people with financial and personal grudges against him had engineered his downfall, but the court rejected this claim.
  • Gavin Millar KC, for GNM, said there is "not a shred of evidence" to support Clarke's claim of a conspiracy, describing it as "nonsensical and rather desperate speculation".
  • Clarke has a history of working in TV shows, including Doctor Who, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and Bulletproof.
  • Clarke's libel claim was defended by GNM as being in the public interest.

Statistics:

  • 20 women made allegations of misconduct against Clarke professionally.
  • The allegations included sharing nude photographs of them without their consent, groping, and asking them to look at him when he was exposed.
  • 15 years: the period of time over which Clarke allegedly used his power to prey on and harass female colleagues.
  • 4 years: the length of time Clarke claimed his life was "smashed" by the Guardian's reporting.

Sources:

  • The Guardian (2021)
  • The Royal Courts of Justice
  • The Hollywood Reporter

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