The Noel Clarke judgment is a victory for the brave women who told us their stories – and for journalism | Katharine Viner

The high court has found in favour of the Guardian after the British actor and filmmaker sued for libel over allegations of sexual misconduct

Katharine Viner is editor-in-chief of the Guardian

Sometimes you just need to pull on the thread.

That’s how it started for two Guardian reporters in the spring of 2021, when they began to investigate claims about the behaviour of Noel Clarke, the prominent British actor and filmmaker.

Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne spoke to many sources, including more than 20 women who shared their stories about working with Clarke. Their accusations covered all manner of misconduct: sexual harassment, unwanted touching and groping, sexually inappropriate behaviour, taking and sharing sexually explicit pictures and videos without consent, and bullying.