Noel Clarke’s lawyer accused The Guardian newspaper of being the sole authority in determining his client’s fate, stating that it acted as the “judge, jury, and executioner” of the actor’s career and reputation. The 49-year-old actor is suing the publication for libel based on a series of articles from 2021 and 2022 that made allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior against him. In response, Clarke’s legal team claimed that the accusations labeling him as a “serial abuser of women” were unfounded and part of an “unlawful conspiracy.”
The lawyer representing Clarke emphasized to the court that his client had been unjustly labeled a predator by The Guardian’s articles, stating that the actor was not in any way a sexual predator. The defense argued that the newspaper’s reporting was flawed and full of inconsistencies, comparing their approach to that of amateur archaeologists uncovering a story riddled with holes. The negative impact of the articles on Clarke’s career was highlighted, noting that he had been ostracized from the film industry and viewed as a criminal by his former colleagues.
On the other hand, Guardian News and Media stood by their journalism, maintaining that their reporting was truthful and served the public interest. They dismissed the conspiracy claims as baseless, describing them as “wild allegations.” The publication stated that they would present testimony from 16 women who had firsthand experience of Clarke’s alleged misconduct, including harassment, unwanted sexual advances, and sexual assault. They argued that there was no reason for these women to lie and questioned the credibility of Clarke’s claims of a conspiracy against him.
The ongoing trial in the High Court is set to last for six weeks, during which both parties will present their evidence and arguments. Clarke’s lawyer reiterated that his client had disproved all allegations against him, while The Guardian maintained that there was ample evidence to support their reporting as true or substantially true. The outcome of the trial will determine the impact of The Guardian’s articles on Noel Clarke’s career and reputation
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