Noel Clarke Loses High Court Libel Case Against Guardian

Actor Noel Clarke lost his High Court libel case against The Guardian after the newspaper successfully defended its investigation that accused him of sexual misconduct by over 20 women. The court rejected Clarke's claims that the allegations were false and part of an unlawful conspiracy, with the judge finding The Guardian's evidence credible. The allegations included unwanted sexual contact, inappropriate behavior, professional misconduct, and the non-consensual sharing of explicit images. Clarke had denied the claims and argued he was a scapegoat of a media purge following the MeToo movement, maintaining his innocence while acknowledging personal flaws. The Guardian argued its reporting was in the public interest, with testimony from nearly 30 witnesses supporting the allegations. The judgment vindicated The Guardian's journalism and dismissed Clarke's demand for £70 million in damages.