The TV and film actor Noel Clarke is set to go to court next month in a libel case against The Guardian which published allegations about his professionalism in 2021
Noel Clarke has lost an appeal in his legal battle against The Guardian.
Clarke had been seeking to make changes to his claim – but this was slapped down by a trio of judges this week. The 49-year-old actor, writer, director and producer rose to prominence in the early naughts after he landed roles in Doctor Who and the film series Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood. However, his career came to an abrupt halt in 2021 when he faced allegations of misconduct which were published in the Guardian.
The allegations included claims of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment; allegations that Clarke furiously denied. The following year, the Metropolitan Police opted not to proceed investigating the sexual harassment claims against Clarke, an no other legal cases against Clarke have been reported.
He began action against Guardian News and Media (GNM), the publishers of The Guardian, in July 2023, seeking £10 million in damages relating to eight articles that had been published by the newspaper. While a judge ruled that Clarke could have a case, and that it would proceed to trial, GNM has signalled that they will argue its reporting as being true and in the public interest as a defence.
A hearing was held on Thursday during which Clarke petitioned to amend his claim and add six more defendants. The court heard that Clarke wanted to bring a claim that a number of people had conspired against him to cause “irreparable damage” using fabricated allegations of misconduct or sexual harassment.
He also wanted to increase the damages to over £70 million. His lawyer, barrister Philip Williams, told the Court of Appeal in London argued that Clarke’s claim of an unlawful conspiracy “would essentially never see the light of day” if he pursued this after the main trial. But this appeal was dismissed by three judges on Friday.
Lord Justice Warby said: “The claimant has however fallen a long way short of establishing that the judge’s decision offends the principles of natural justice, deprives him of any chance of a fair trial of his conspiracy claim, or removes his chances of legitimate vindication.”
He added: “In my opinion the judge’s approach was fair and her procedural assessments were all legitimate.” The ruling was supported by Lord Justice Popplewell and Lord Justice Phillips.
Last month it was revealed that 32 people are expected to give evidence in the case – with 26 expected to support allegations of serious misconduct against Clarke.
Six editorial staff from The Guardian, including senior editors, are expected to give evidence as part of the trial. The publication has already outlined the bones of its argument, stating: “They give evidence that they were the victims of or witnesses to serious misconduct by C (claimant) or its aftermath; or otherwise corroborate the pleaded allegations in the truth defence.”
Clarke said in November 2023: “I have always disputed the content of the eight Guardian articles.” The trial is due to begin on 3 March and is expected to last for six weeks.
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