The Metropolitan Police have announced Noel Clarke will not face an investigation over accusations of sexual harrassment, citing not enough evidence against the actor.
Last year, The Guardian published allegations from 20 women who had worked with Clarke. The first of the alleged offences dated back to 2004, with the most recent coming from 2019. Clarke, 46, has “vehemently” denied all the allegations, which included groping and sexual misconduct.
Despite the denial, Clarke previously said he was “deeply sorry” if his actions had affected people “in ways I did not intend or realise”. He also vowed to get professional help “to educate myself and change for the better”.
Detectives investigating the claims “determined the information would not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation,” a statement from the Met reveals. This conclusion was reached after a “thorough assessment”.
The Met Police’s statement further explained, “We have shared our findings with the third party organisation and updated the complainants who subsequently contacted us following the initial report. If any further criminal allegations related to those already assessed are reported then it will be thoroughly considered.”
Predominantly known for writing, directing and starring in the three films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, Clarke has had his BAFTA membership suspended and his new series, Bulletproof, stopped in production by Sky.
Just before the allegations were first published, BAFTA had awarded Clarke the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema title.
