Clarke's Bafta award raised fears he would be 'untouchable', court hears

The Guardian's sources for sexual misconduct allegations against Noel Clarke feared that an honorary award from Bafta would make him "untouchable" and increase the severity of his behaviour, the high court has heard.

- Haroon Siddique

Sirin Kale, a co-author of the series of articles about the Doctor Who actor, said she did not believe that the sources had collectively decided "they wanted to damage Clarke's reputation", as he claims.

She wrote in her witness statement: "They were scared that Mr Clarke being given the outstanding British contribution to cinema award by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) would boost Mr Clarke's power over others and allow him to abuse and exploit people, potentially with a sense of impunity.

"The view they conveyed to us on the call was that Mr Clarke could become untouchable with the endorsement of the award, and his alleged behaviour could escalate in severity," Kale wrote.

Clarke was given the honorary award in 2021 but it was suspended later that year.