Overview

• Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that The Guardian established both truth and public interest defences across seven articles and a podcast published from 2021 to 2022.
• The court found instances of harassment, unwanted touching, sexually inappropriate behaviour, non‑consensual sharing of explicit images and covert filming proved on the civil standard.
• The judge said there was no conspiracy to lie, calling the theory unfounded and noting the implausibility of more than 20 independent witnesses inventing allegations.
• The Guardian’s case drew on testimony from almost 30 people, with 18 giving evidence in court, while its editor-in-chief described the decision as significant for investigative journalism.
• Clarke, who had indicated he would seek about £70m in damages, now faces a substantial legal bill, with further proceedings expected to address costs.