A lady the Guardian newspaper alleges was groped by actor Noel Clarke has denied being assaulted by him in proof given on his behalf for a libel trial.
Clarke, greatest identified for his roles in Kidulthood and Physician Who, is suing the newspaper for defamation over a collection of articles revealed in 2021 and 2022 that accused him of sexual misconduct and bullying.
Clarke has vehemently denied any sexual misconduct or prison wrongdoing. In authorized papers filed by the Guardian, it’s alleged that ‘Freya’, not her actual identify, was assaulted by Clarke at a ‘wrap social gathering’ for 2012 movie The Knot.
The newspaper claims Clarke ‘went up alongside her and groped her from behind by her costume, in between her legs’ with out her consent. However throughout a pre-trial listening to on the Excessive Court docket final week, Clarke’s authorized workforce stated Freya was one among three individuals who function within the Guardian’s defence who’re giving proof in assist of Clarke.
The opposite two are an actor who’s alleged to have despatched Clarke a intercourse video that Clarke is alleged to have confirmed a feminine actor, and an actress who was stated to have been directed by Clarke to kiss a fellow actress. It’s understood that not one of the three featured in any of the Guardian’s articles about Clarke.
Philip Williams, Clarke’s barrister, stated the three ‘are our witnesses … who featured as a part of [the Guardian’s] defence. Their level is, ‘It’s simply not true, we had been by no means contacted. These allegations by no means occurred’.’
Regardless of that includes within the newspaper’s written defence, it’s understood none of three has ever been a defence witness.
Clarke, 49, claims the allegations value him profitable appearing roles, a Bafta award and that TV collection he appeared in had been dropped. His attorneys final week revealed he’s searching for to extend his damages declare from £10 million to £70 million.
Clarke is suing the Guardian for defamation over a collection of articles revealed in 2021 and 2022 that accused him of sexual misconduct and bullying
Clarke, 49, has vehemently denied any sexual misconduct or prison wrongdoing
He claims the allegations value him profitable appearing roles, a Bafta award and that TV collection he appeared in had been dropped
They claimed he’s the sufferer of a conspiracy and that sources utilized by the Guardian peddled ‘fully fabricated and false allegations’.
Gavin Millar KC, the Guardian’s barrister, stated there was ‘no foundation’ for Clarke’s allegation of a conspiracy. Mrs Justice Steyn dominated that an software by Clarke’s attorneys, which included a brand new ‘conspiracy’ declare, can be adjourned till after the libel trial.
The Guardian stated: ‘Our reporting on Noel Clarke in 2021 was based mostly on the accounts of 20 courageous girls. After we revealed our first article, extra girls got here ahead. In what seems to be an Eleventh-hour bid to derail the trial, Mr Clarke is making a lot of baseless claims about witnesses and journalists.’
The trial is because of begin in March.
