Johnny Depp’s libel trial is set to go ahead as planned next week.
The 57-year-old Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers after The Sun published an article in 2018 which branded him a ‘wife beater’ – a claim he denies.
A judge has now ruled the trial is set to go ahead next week.
The decision was reportedly made today at the High Court after it was previously ruled Depp breached a court order by failing to disclose an array of text messages which allegedly showed him trying to buy drugs.
It also relates to the allegations made by the actor’s ex-wife Amber Heard, 34, who claims he was violent towards her when they were together- which he denies.
Johnny Depp’s libel trial is set for next week after High Court ruling (Image: Getty Images)
At the preliminary hearing, lawyers for NGN attempted to have the court case thrown out with claims that Depp withheld texts allegedly showing he had tried to obtain “MDMA and other narcotics” while on holiday in Australia with his ex wife back in 2018.
In a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Nicol found Depp had breached an “unless order” which required him to disclose documents from separate libel proceedings against Heard, including the text messages.
Amber Heard claims Johnny Depp physically assaulted her (Image: Clint Brewer / Splash News)
The judge stated: “The Australian drug texts were adverse to the claimant’s pleaded case and/or were supportive of the defendants’ pleaded case.”
Depp’s legal team then asked the judge for “relief from sanctions” which would allow the trial to go ahead as planned despite the breach.
A three-week trial was due to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March, but was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic,
It is now listed to begin on July 7, with the court hearing that Johnny intends to travel from his home in France to London to give evidence.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
