Famed actor and filmmaker Noel Clarke, 49, suffered a stunning loss in his high-profile libel action against The Guardian. This case was brought as a result of the sexual harassment and abuse charges from more than 20 women. Mrs. Justice Steyn’s judgement upheld Clarke’s claim and found that he had been portrayed by the newspaper’s articles as “quite the man.” This ruling crystallized the allegations against him and brought an end to his efforts to sue for £70 million in damages.
Further, the court’s decision puts Clarke on notice that these allegations of misconduct are serious and without basis in fact or law. Worse yet, his career has subsidized his punishment. He claims that the stories the Guardian has run have destroyed his business life. The impact has been equally devastating for him. Because of that ruling, Clarke and taxpayers like her now owe $600,000 in legal fees. Further, he will likely be responsible for paying most, if not all, of The Guardian’s legal fees.
Clarke’s legal team, led by attorney Philip Williams, argued vigorously that their client had been duped by an industry-wide “purge.” This purge came on the heels of the powerful #MeToo movement wave. Williams urged conscientiousness and a focus on context and nuance in discussing Clarke’s treatment. He cast the present point of view as the height of “illiterate historical revisionism.” He likened Clarke’s case to the historical performances of the likes of Benny Hill, Little Britain and Carry On movies. Furthermore, he contended that the standards of what’s appropriate have changed vastly throughout the years.
In the courtroom, Clarke returned fire, vigorously defending himself against the overwhelming case arrayed against him. In order to win his case, he advanced an intricate conspiracy theory. Most telling was the defense’s failure to connect with the judge. She found the evidence that the women put forward to be most compelling. The trial was one of the few examples of #MeToo-related allegations printed by a UK tabloid being challenged in a court room.
After the ruling, The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katharine Viner said she was delighted with the ruling.
“This judgment is a deserved victory for those women who suffered because of the behaviour of Noel Clarke. Going to court is difficult and stressful, yet more than 20 women agreed to testify in the high court, refusing to be bullied or intimidated.” – Katharine Viner
Since those allegations first came out in April of last year, Clarke has distanced himself from Unstoppable Film and TV. This is the independent production company that he co-founded, which produced the successful series Bulletproof. The repercussions from these allegations have brought professional devastation, including a damage award in Clarke’s case. It has inspired larger conversations about accountability in the entertainment industry as a whole.
This example is the latest demonstration of the enduring legacy of the #MeToo movement. It transforms the way that we think and talk about consent and misconduct in every sector. As public discourse starts to shift, people like Clarke have more and more eyes on them. Society is currently wrestling with principles of historical behavior and structural accountability.