The bitter and highly publicised legal dispute between two of the UK's most prominent actors, Noel Clarke and Adam Deacon, has reached its final chapter in London's Royal Courts of Justice.
Mr. Clarke, the acclaimed actor and producer behind the 'Kidulthood' franchise, initiated libel proceedings against his former collaborator, Mr. Deacon. The case centred on a series of social media posts published by Deacon in 2021, which Clarke alleged were defamatory and caused serious harm to his reputation and career.
In a dramatic turn of events, the case has been formally concluded without a trial. A statement read to the High Court confirmed that a settlement had been reached between the two parties. As part of this agreement, Noel Clarke has discontinued his libel claim.
Crucially, Adam Deacon has provided a full and formal retraction of the allegations he made online. The court was informed that Deacon "acknowledges that the allegations are untrue and apologises for the harm caused to Mr Clarke". He has also agreed to a permanent injunction, legally preventing him from repeating the claims.
The financial terms of the settlement remain strictly confidential. However, it is understood that Mr. Deacon will contribute to his opponent's substantial legal costs.
This legal battle unfolded in the shadow of separate, earlier allegations of sexual misconduct made against Noel Clarke by multiple women in a Guardian investigation, which he has vehemently denied. Those allegations led to his suspension by BAFTA in 2021, just after he had received the organisation's Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award.
The conclusion of this libel case marks the end of a significant chapter in a complex saga that has captivated the British film industry and public alike, highlighting the severe real-world consequences of online allegations and legal disputes between public figures.
