Noel Clarke Arrested After Failed Libel Case

Noel Clarke, 49, was reportedly arrested after a multi‑hour police raid at his family home in Kensington, West London, with officers — including a specialist dog unit — seen removing boxes, laptops and documents; the Metropolitan Police have not yet confirmed details. Reports say officers spent around five hours at the property and Clarke was taken into custody for questioning before later being seen leaving or returning to the address. The arrest follows Clarke’s failed libel action against The Guardian over its 2021 reporting that more than 20 women had accused him of sexual misconduct, allegations he denies. A High Court judge found the Guardian’s reporting to be “substantially true,” described Clarke’s libel claim as “far‑fetched,” and ordered him to pay at least £3 million in the publisher’s legal costs, with a detailed assessment likely to increase that figure. Clarke, who created Kidulthood and played Mickey Smith in Doctor Who, has not worked substantially since the allegations and had sought up to £70 million in damages when he launched the libel claim.