TV presenter Jeremy Vine has released a lengthy statement regarding his recent legal action again Joey Barton – claiming that the former footballer has paid out more than half a million pounds
Jeremy Vine has issued a detailed statement about his recent libel case against Joey Barton, revealing the former footballer has paid out over half a million pounds. The TV presenter sued Barton for libel and harassment over several online posts, including a tweet where he falsely called Vine a “big bike nonce” and a “pedo defender”.
The pair settled the claim last year, with Barton posting two apologies on Twitter and paying Vine £110,000 in damages, plus legal costs. However, there was some confusion over the total amount Barton would pay, which Vine has now clarified.
In a series of tweets, Vine told his followers he has “no further beef with Mr Barton” and is relieved to have been vindicated.
Vine’s statement began: “STATEMENT Thank-you for such kind messages about my libel action against Joey Barton. I can confirm it is now concluded and I am satisfied with the result. Mr Barton has now paid out more than half a million pounds in my case alone.”
He added: “There seems to be some confusion about the stages of the case. The below is to explain the numbers. I have no further beef with Mr Barton, who has a series of ongoing legal problems to deal with. While defending my libel action, he also became a convicted wifebeater,” reports the Mirror.
“My damages in the case were £110,000. These were paid last year, and Mr Barton made the agreed public apology. But my costs in bringing the case were between 180 and 190k. Mr Barton pledged in court to pay the costs, then chose to argue that the figure was too high.
“Regrettably, this meant I had to initiate a separate action to recover my costs. The separate action also incurred its own costs. Mr Barton conceded on the main costs two days before the costs recovery action, but it was too late to avoid being liable for the costs recovery action.”
Vine proceeded to outline what would transpire should Barton fail to settle the money he owes and broke down the hefty bill the ex-footballer is required to pay.
“So Barton paid for the libel. He paid the costs. He paid interest on the costs. He paid the cost of losing a challenge on the costs. And he paid his own costs, which will be more than mine because he had fancier lawyers. He has lost at least half a million pounds,” Vine informed his followers.
“BARTON’S BILL 110k – the libel. 160k – my costs. 3.6k – interest on costs. 43k – my costs recovery action. 200k – his costs. MINIMUM £516,600. People asked, ‘What if Barton refuses to pay, or can’t pay?’ To ensure he had the funds, I had to commission legal searches on his house. He owns it outright. Lawyers advised me that if he did not pay, they could put a charge on his house.
“This would mean Mr Barton would effectively become my tenant, paying me rent to live there. If he fell behind with the rent, I would have the right to evict him or force the sale of his house to recoup my debt.”
Vine wrapped up by saying: “I had no wish to be in that position and I am grateful to my lawyers in ensuring we got the final payments in today. My barrister is Gervase de Wilde @5RB and my solicitor is Judith Thompson, who specialises in online defamation. If you need her she is here: @devonsolicitors.
“I may return to this subject in due course but for now it is a relief just to be vindicated and to have the case settled so decisively. Thank-you for reading this, especially if you sent messages of support. JV.”
In an agreed statement read out at the High Court in October last year, Vine’s barrister Gervase de Wilde said that the broadcaster “was deeply alarmed, distressed and upset” by Barton’s actions, which included a “persistent and highly damaging campaign of defamation, harassment and misuse of private information”.
Earlier this month, a specialist costs court heard that Barton had agreed to pay £160,000 of Vine’s costs from the main legal action. Costs Judge Colum Leonard also ordered Barton to pay a further £43,172.30 arising from the negotiation of the £160,000 figure, meaning he will pay a total of £203,172.30 of Vine’s costs following the legal action.
At a High Court hearing in May last year, Vine’s lawyers argued that Barton’s posts constituted a “calculated and sustained attack”. Barton, a former player for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Rangers, and Marseille, also used the hashtag “#bikenonce” on X, which subsequently trended on the platform.
Following a ruling by Mrs Justice Steyn that some of the posts could be defamatory, Barton issued an apology to Vine in June last year, admitting that the allegations he made were “untrue”.
As part of the settlement, Barton agreed to pay Vine £75,000 in damages. However, Vine’s solicitors later revealed that Barton would pay an additional £35,000 as part of a “separate settlement” for claims published after the legal action commenced.
During the October hearing, Mr De Wilde stated that Barton made four undertakings as part of the settlement, including a commitment not to harass Vine or encourage others to do so. After the hearing, Vine commented that Barton “needs to find himself a different hobby”.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
