Jonny Depp’s libel case has started today, with a preliminary hearing done remotely, during which an application was made for it to be thrown out of court.
The Hollywood star is suing News Group Newspapers – the publishers of The Sun – over a story published back in 2018 which referred to him as a “wife beater”.
The High Court hearing today took place remotely, before a full trial which is scheduled to begin in July.
During the hearing, lawyers for News Group Newspapers asked Mr Justice Nicol to strike out Depp’s legal action.
They claimed he has not followed a court order which instructed him to disclose evidence from separate libel proceedings in the US against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
The libel case relates to an article published by NGN which referred to Depp as a ‘wife beater’ (Image: Getty Images for Art of Elysium)
Depp’s libel case with NGN is related to allegations from Heard, 34, who claims that Depp, 57, was violent towards her – which he denies.
The actor’s lawyers described the move from NGN as an “ambush” and added that it was “tactical, just a distraction”.
It is believed that Depp has flown to London to take part in the trial and will isolate for 14 days under the current quarantine regulations in the UK.
The case is expected to last three weeks.
The trial was delayed from its original start date of March 25 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Depp denies Amber Heard’s allegations against him (Image: Getty Images)
It comes from a story which was published with the headline “GONE POTTY How can JK Rowling be ‘genuinely’ happy casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?”
Mr Justice Nicol had previously ruled that statements from exes of Depp – Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder – may be included in the trial.
Both of the women have stated that Depp was never violent towards them.
Representing Depp, David Sherborne laid out in court documents that the A-lister’s relationship with Paradis ended in 2012, not long before he and Heard were together, “when he is first alleged to have been violent”.
In a witness statement, Paradis said: “I have known Johnny for more than 25 years.
“We’ve been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together.
“Through all these years I’ve known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father… He was never violent or abusive to me.”
Actress Winona Ryder, who was in a relationship with Depp in the 1990s, submitted a witness statement too.
She said: “I cannot wrap my head around [Ms Heard’s] accusations.
“He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me.”
News Group Newspapers are defending the case and standing by Amber Heard’s allegations.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
