Closing submission from Gavin Millar KC says actor’s legal team tried to portray an ‘elaborate conspiracy theory’

Noel Clarke has been shown to be “precisely the man” depicted in the Guardian’s articles accusing him of sexual misconduct, vindicating its journalism, the high court has heard.

In closing submissions in the former Doctor Who actor’s libel claim against Guardian News and Media (GNM), Gavin Millar KC said Clarke had been forced to come up with an “elaborate conspiracy theory” to try to rebut the “overwhelming evidence” against him.

Over 15 years, he used his power to prey on and harass female colleagues.

He sometimes bullied female colleagues.

He engaged in unwanted sexual contact, kissing, touching or groping.

He engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour and comments.

He was involved in professional misconduct.

He took and shared explicit pictures and videos without consent, including secretly filming a young actor’s naked audition.

Actor accuses newspaper of libel in articles about his alleged sexual misconduct

There was “no agenda” in the Guardian’s investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against Noel Clarke, the high court has heard.

In her second day in the witness box, Lucy Osborne, an investigative correspondent at the Guardian, defended the publication’s reporting in the face of questioning from the former Doctor Who star’s barrister, Philip Williams.

Accuser, who was 20 at the time, says she was frightened of the actor when he propositioned her in 2014

A “wide-eyed” 20-year-old woman found Noel Clarke “sexually threatening” and was frightened of him when he propositioned her over dinner, the high court has heard.

Clarke, 49, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) for libel over seven articles and a podcast published between April 2021 and March 2022 accusing him of sexual misconduct.

Giving evidence in her husband’s libel case against the Guardian, Iris Clarke says he always tried to help people

Noel Clarke’s wife has said his accusers are liars who have deliberately fabricated sexual misconduct claims about him.

Giving evidence in the actor’s libel case against the Guardian, Iris Clarke said her husband was generous and caring, and that people he had worked with and helped had taken advantage of him.