Jeremy Vine, the renowned broadcaster, made headlines as he obtained an apology from former footballer Joey Barton in court. Barton had falsely labelled Vine a “big bike n****” on social media, leading to a lawsuit for libel and harassment over nine online posts. Among these posts was one where Barton accused Vine of being a “pedo defender”.
The legal battle concluded with Barton agreeing to pay £110,000 in damages to Vine, covering his legal expenses as well. Additionally, Barton issued two public apologies on social media platforms. Following the settlement, Jeremy Vine expressed his thoughts outside the court, suggesting Barton should consider pursuing a different hobby after potentially losing around £450,000 due to his posts.
During the High Court proceedings, Gervase de Wilde, representing Vine, emphasised Barton’s acknowledgment of the seriousness and falsity of his allegations. Barton expressed regret for the distress caused by his publications and offered apologies for the harm inflicted on Vine. Despite these actions, Vine’s legal team raised concerns over a recent social media post by Barton, showing Vine dancing in high-heeled shoes with a caption that seemed to mock the situation.
The barrister highlighted the potential risk of contempt of court due to Barton’s actions undermining the settlement agreement and Vine’s rights. Barton had agreed not to harass Vine or engage in any activities encouraging such behaviour. Justice Steyn cautioned Barton about the repercussions of breaching these commitments, reminding him of the court’s expectations regarding his conduct.
Vine’s legal representation stressed the impact of Barton’s actions on Vine’s well-being, citing a campaign of defamation, harassment, and misuse of private information. Barton’s legal counsel indicated they had not discussed the recent controversial social media post with their client. Despite the settlement and apologies, the aftermath of the legal dispute appears to have raised further concerns regarding Barton’s conduct and adherence to the agreed terms.