Noel Clarke says life ‘smashed’ by misconduct allegations

Actor and producer Noel Clarke has accused the writer of the Guardian of getting “smashed my life for years” as he gave proof at his Excessive Court docket libel trial.

The star of Physician Who and Kidulthood started his testimony on Monday.

The 49-year-old is suing Guardian Information and Media (GNM) for libel over a sequence of articles from 2021 and 2022 that included allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Clarke denies the allegations, whereas GNM is defending its reporting as being each true and within the public curiosity.

Requested about his alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour in the direction of an actress who appeared in a movie he was concerned with, he grew to become fairly emotional and tearful, telling the Guardian’s barrister Gavin Millar KC: “They’ve smashed my life for years with this garbage. You already know what you are doing. You make me sick, I’d not do that.”

Mr Millar requested Mr Clarke about an allegation that whereas engaged on Physician Who, he made an inappropriate sexual suggestion to a feminine costume assistant.

He replied: “I do not keep in mind that incident, I do not bear in mind the lady in query. So I say it did not occur.”

Mr Millar requested: “It did not occur or you do not bear in mind it?”

Mr Clarke replied: “It did not occur.”

He was additionally requested about his interactions with a lady whom he labored with within the run-up to a specific challenge, the place it was alleged that he bodily pushed his physique towards her in a sexual approach, and groped her.

Mr Clarke responded saying that he had subsequently had messages from the lady through the years, including that this proves that her allegations had been absolute nonsense.

He mentioned: “I am sitting right here having sworn on the Bible, and I am telling you she’s mendacity.”

He is because of proceed giving proof till Wednesday.

The case is scheduled to final six weeks.