Noel Clarke, the actor known for his roles in Kidulthood and Doctor Who, is embroiled in a defamation lawsuit against The Guardian, following allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying.

The case centers around articles published in 2021 and 2022 that accused Clarke of groping a woman named ‘Freya’ at a 2012 wrap party for the film The Knot.

However, Freya has since come forward to deny the allegations, stating that she was not assaulted by Clarke, and is providing evidence on his behalf in the libel trial.

The Guardian’s Allegations and Clarke’s Denial

The Guardian claims that at the wrap party, Clarke groped Freya from behind, touching her inappropriately through her dress, but Freya has denied this version of events.

Clarke, who has repeatedly denied any allegations of sexual misconduct or criminal activity, is suing the newspaper for defamation, seeking to clear his name and recover damages for the impact on his career and reputation.

Supporting Evidence in Clarke’s Favor

At a pre-trial hearing last week, Clarke’s legal team presented evidence to challenge the newspaper’s claims.

Three individuals, including Freya, have been named as witnesses who dispute the Guardian’s version of events.

According to Clarke’s legal team, these individuals, who were involved in the Guardian’s defense articles, have never been contacted by the newspaper and claim that the allegations made against Clarke did not happen.

Clarke’s barrister, Philip Williams, explained that the witnesses involved in the case are speaking out to support Clarke.

“They are our witnesses who feature as part of the Guardian’s defense,” Williams said, stressing that they’ve all denied the accusations.

The witnesses’ evidence strongly contradicts the claims made by the Guardian.

Clarke’s Lawsuit and Damages Claim

Clarke’s legal team argues that the accusations have severely damaged his career, causing him to lose acting roles, TV series, and even a Bafta award.

Clarke has raised his damages claim from £10 million to £70 million, citing what he believes to be a conspiracy orchestrated by sources used by the Guardian.

He alleges these sources fabricated the allegations, tarnishing his reputation and career.

However, the Guardian’s barrister, Gavin Millar KC, refuted the conspiracy claims, asserting that there is “no basis” for the allegations against the newspaper.

Mrs. Justice Steyn, presiding over the case, decided to adjourn Clarke’s application regarding the conspiracy claim until after the libel trial has concluded.

The Guardian’s Response and the Upcoming Trial

In its defense, the Guardian maintains that its reporting was based on the accounts of 20 women, who shared their stories of alleged misconduct by Clarke.

The newspaper asserts that after its first article was published, more women came forward to share their experiences.

The Guardian’s spokesperson further claimed that Clarke’s recent efforts to bring up conspiracy allegations are an attempt to derail the trial at the last minute.

The libel trial is scheduled to begin in March, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold.

Clarke’s legal team continues to insist that the claims against him are false, while the Guardian stands by its reporting as crucial to raising awareness of sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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