Lessons from the Noel Clarke Libel Trial: Power, Responsibility, and the Onus to Object

The High Court’s dismissal of Noel Clarke’s libel claim against The Guardian highlights the serious impact of power imbalances in the media industry. This blog explores the judge’s findings, including Clarke’s flawed belief that women could freely reject his advances, and why this ignores the pressure created by status and hierarchy. We examine how such dynamics shape workplace misconduct, the importance of recognising them in investigations, and how organisations can respond through fair, sensitive processes and effective training.