Noel Clarke Loses £70 Million Libel Battle With Guardian

The High Court has dismissed actor Noel Clarke’s libel claim against Guardian News & Media, ruling that the newspaper’s reporting on allegations of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women was substantially true and published in the public interest. In a judgment delivered by Mrs Justice Steyn on 22 August, the court found the Guardian had successfully established both the truth defence and a public-interest defence. Clarke, 49, had alleged a conspiracy and sought up to £70 million in damages, claiming the 2021–22 articles and podcast ruined his career. The judge’s decision leaves the Doctor Who and Kidulthood star facing significant legal costs, including a large share of the publisher’s fees. The trial, which ran from March to April, heard testimony from nearly 30 witnesses, 18 of whom detailed misconduct ranging from unwanted touching to the non-consensual sharing of explicit images. Media lawyers say the verdict strengthens protections for investigative journalism on #MeToo-related matters in the UK.