Behind the scenes of the Guardian’s libel battle with Noel Clarke

This episode centers around the allegations against actor and filmmaker Noel Clarke, who faced accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Lisa Graham, one of the women who spoke out, recounted her disturbing experiences meeting Clarke at a Comic Con event, which included inappropriate comments and unwanted physical advances.

The podcast dives into the investigative work done by The Guardian reporters, Shirin Kale and Lucy Osborne, who were sued by Clarke for defamation after publishing articles detailing the allegations. The journalists detailed their process of gathering accounts from 26 women and the emotional toll it took on them and the witnesses during the court proceedings, underscoring the bravery required for those speaking out against powerful figures. Clarke's defense minimized the seriousness of the allegations, framing them as mere jokes, but ultimately he lost the libel case.

The outcome was a significant victory for the women who testified and for investigative journalism, as the judge deemed the Guardian's reporting substantially true. The episode concludes with reflections on the larger implications of this case for victims of sexual harassment, emphasizing the importance of truth-telling and the power of speaking out within the context of #MeToo.