The High Court has given judgment on preliminary issues in a libel claim brought by the broadcaster and former professional footballer Eniola Aluko against Joey Barton, the former professional footballer and manager.
A preliminary issue trial was held on 19 December 2024 before Lavender J to determine the natural and ordinary meaning of two posts on X, the innuendo meaning of the first post, whether the meanings found were statements of fact and/or opinion, and whether they were defamatory of Ms Aluko at common law.
In a judgment handed down yesterday, the Judge ruled that (a) the first post was not defamatory of Ms Aluko in its natural and ordinary meaning, but was in its innuendo meaning, and was a statement of opinion, and (b) the second post was defamatory at common law, and contained statements of fact and opinion.
5RB’s Gervase de Wilde and Luke Browne act for the Claimant, instructed by Samuels Solicitors LLP.
