William ‘kept in dark’ on Clarke groping claims

PRINCEWilliam wasn’t told about sex allegations against actor-producer Noel Clarke despite being Bafta’s president.

The Duke of Cambridge has criticised the film and TV industry charity in the past for its poor diversity record.

He had been due to praise Bafta in a speech the day after the annual awards on April 10 in which DrWho star Clarke was recognised for outstanding contribution to British cinema.

But the speech was cancelled due to the death ofWilliam’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, two days before.

Bafta chiefs were alerted to complaints about Clarke, 45, as early as March 30, the day after it announced its plan to honour him, but officials did not inform the

Prince of their concerns until last week.

Bafta, which would not comment on its contact with William, suspended Clarke’s award after 20 women alleged sexual harassment, unwanted touching or groping, bullying and secretly recording naked auditions between 2004 and 2019.The Bulletproof actor vehemently denies the allegations.

But the claims against him continue to mount. Scotland Yard is examining “allegations of sexual offences committed by a male over a period of time” after a complaint from a “third party”.

Actress Jahannah James said she contacted police years ago after Clarke allegedly secretly filmed her in the nude but officers said they were powerless unless he threatened her with the footage.

Another actor has branded Clarke a “sexual predator”, and says allegations were the British film industry’s “best-kept secret”.