Noel Clarke tells court he is 'victim of unlawful conspiracy'
Noel Clarke has told the High Court he is the victim of an "unlawful conspiracy" involving The Guardian and a large number of other individuals after allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour were made against him.
In written submissions, Mr Clarke's legal team said allegations that the award-winning actor, writer, producer and director was a "serial abuser of women" were false.
It added that the "conspirators'" intention was to cause him "irreparable" financial and reputational damage.
The Guardian has said told the court that it will be defending its journalism as being both true and in the public interest, and described the conspiracy claim as a "wild allegation".
The allegations against Mr Clarke were published in a series of articles in the Guardian in 2021 and 2022. He is now suing Guardian News and Media (GNM).
He says that the articles were untrue and that The Guardian "played the role of judge, jury and executioner" of his career and reputation.
The articles featured claims from a number of women in the film and TV industry who reportedly accused him of groping and sexually inappropriate behaviour, over a number of years.
Mr Clarke, who is best known for his work in the films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, vehemently denies the allegations.
He is expected to start giving evidence later today.
In its written submissions, The Guardian said that it will be defending the case, and that the trial will hear from 16 women who it says will give tell the court about Mr Clarke's conduct first-hand.
It says they will give evidence of harassment, unwanted sexual conduct and sexual assault.
The trial is scheduled to last for six weeks.
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