High court rejects actor’s claim that accusations against him by more than 20 women were false and part of a conspiracy
The Guardian has successfully defended a libel action brought by the actor Noel Clarke over an investigation in which he was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women.
In a landmark high court judgment handed down on Friday, Mrs Justice Steyn rejected Clarke’s claims, and ruled the newspaper had succeeded in both its defences: of truth and public interest.
There were strong grounds to believe that, over 15 years, he had used his power to prey on and harass female colleagues.
He sometimes bullied female colleagues.
He engaged in unwanted sexual contact, kissing, touching or groping.
He engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour and comments.
He was involved in professional misconduct.
He took and shared explicit pictures and videos without consent, including secretly filming a young actor’s naked audition.
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