Noel Clarke sues BAFTA over suspended membership following sexual harassment claims

nme.com:

BAFTA for defamation following its decision to suspend his membership amid allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.In an exposé published by The Guardian in April 2021, the Bulletproof actor was accused by 20 women of a variety of wrongdoings including bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted sexual contact.The claims emerged shortly after Clarke won the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award at the BAFTAs 2021.

It was reported that the Academy had been made aware of the allegations prior to giving Clarke the prize but took the decision to proceed due to a lack of evidence.However, BAFTA subsequently suspended the award and revoked the actor’s membership.Clarke has denied all claims through his lawyers except for one, accepting that he once made inappropriate comments about one woman for which he later apologised.According to The Sunday Times (via Deadline), Clarke filed a defamation lawsuit against BAFTA at London’s High Court last week.

It comes after the Metropolitan Police decided there was not enough evidence to launch an investigation in March.“If any further criminal allegations related to those already assessed are reported then it will be thoroughly considered,” the Met wrote in a statement.In response to Clarke’s lawsuit, a BAFTA spokesperson said: “A year ago, BAFTA was transparent about what led to Mr Clarke’s award and membership being suspended following serious accusations of groping, harassment and bullying by 20 women published by The Guardian.“We stand by our decision and are very surprised by the news he now wishes to sue the arts charity.

If proceedings are served, we will of course defend ourselves.”Per Variety‘s report, Clarke is also suing The Guardian Media Group and Condé Nast,.