Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Eniola Aluko, a former England footballer and current pundit, has been awarded over £300,000 in damages and legal expenses following a libel lawsuit against Joey Barton. The case centered on defamatory social media posts Barton published in 2024 on the platform X, which prompted Aluko to take legal action.
The High Court ruled to stay the proceedings, effectively pausing the case, while ordering Barton to compensate Aluko with significant damages and cover her legal costs. Aluko’s legal representative, Gervase de Wilde, explained that Barton’s posts accused her of manipulating her position as an alleged victim of racism and bullying for personal gain, and also labeled her as a hypocrite—claims considered unfounded by the court.
Joey Barton, who has previously managed football clubs Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers, did not appear at the hearing. De Wilde informed the court that Barton had been arrested earlier that week and was currently in custody. Evidence presented showed that between January and August of 2024, Barton posted 48 messages about Aluko on his X account as part of a “deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification.” One particularly disturbing post featured Aluko’s face superimposed onto the body of serial killer Rosemary West.
De Wilde described the campaign as an attack on various facets of Aluko’s life and personality, causing her considerable distress. He emphasized that when Aluko attempted to defend herself against Barton and his followers, Barton’s response was to further criticize and attack her efforts. Aluko was reportedly concerned that any attempts to halt the harassment would be turned against her by Barton. Ultimately, Barton conceded that his conduct constituted harassment and acknowledged that the publications should not have been made.
A court order revealed that Barton has been instructed to pay £339,000 in damages, with the initial payment of £100,000 plus interest due by March 24. Justice Nicholas Lavender gave Barton a seven-day period in which he could request modifications to the order. Aluko appeared at the London court and remarked, “I’m glad it’s the end,” signaling closure to the distressing episode
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.