Police told of sex offence allegations before Clarke scandal broke
POLICE received claims of sexual offences from a third-party complainant shortly before the actor and producer Noel Clarke was publicly accused of harassment and abuse.
The third-party report was submitted to the Metropolitan Police a week before numerous allegations of abuse and harassment made by 20 women Clarke worked with were published.
The force said there was no investigation under way, but that officers were assessing the information.
Clarke has “vehemently” denied “any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing”, although he apologised “deeply” for “some of my actions”, saying on Friday that he will be seeking professional help.
It comes as several of Clarke’s costars on the ITV crime drama The Viewpoint expressed their support for the 20 women who came forward to complain.
The women accuse him of sexual harassment, unwanted touching or groping, sexually inappropriate behaviour and comments on set, professional misconduct, taking and sharing sexually explicit pictures and videos without consent, and bullying between 2004 and 2019.
Bronagh Waugh, who plays opposite Clarke in The Viewpoint, said she stood with the women and that “things have to change”. In an Instagram message she wrote: “I am deeply saddened and shocked. Everyone deserves to feel safe and be protected in their workplace. Things have to change. We have work to do.”
Alexandra Roach, who also stars in The Viewpoint, posted a statement on her Twitter account, saying: “I see you, I hear you. Thank you to the women for your incredible bravery in coming forward and helping to put a stop to this kind of behaviour in our industry. If I could stop working with sexual predators… that would be great.”
ITV decided to pull the finale of The Viewpoint after allegations of sexual harassment were made against Clarke, saying it was “no longer appropriate to broadcast” it because of the “very serious nature” of the claims made by women who have worked with him.
At the same time, production on the new season of Clarke’s show Bulletproof was suspended by Sky.
The network said: “Sky stands against all forms of sexual harassment and bullying and takes any allegations of this nature extremely seriously.”
Ashley Walters, Clarke’s co-star on the show, said he was shocked by the claims, “and whilst Noel has been a friend and colleague, I cannot stand by and ignore these allegations”.
In his statement issued on Friday, Clarke said: “I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing. Recent reports, however, have made it clear to me that some of my actions have affected people in ways I did not intend or realise.”
He added: “To those individuals, I am deeply sorry. I will be seeking professional help to educate myself and change for the better.”