Actor, writer and director Michaela Coel has spoken out about the sexual abuse allegations made by the Guardian last night about actor and director Noel Clarke.
Michaela - known for her shows Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You - was one of the first in the UK industry to tweet the story last night, not long after it had been revealed by journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Clarke categorically denies allegations from all 20 women who made allegations of groping, harassment and bullying.
Unfairly, given the circumstances, 'Michaela Coel Noel Clarke' began trending on Google, with many searching for whether the pair had worked together, or perhaps speculating on a link between the two.
Clarke said in a statement to the Guardian of the allegations: “In a 20-year career, I have put inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me. If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise. I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations.”
Through his lawyers, Clarke categorically denied every allegation that the Guardian put to him, bar one, accepting he once made inappropriate comments about one woman, for which he later apologised, but denying the rest of her complaints. In a 29-page letter, his lawyers said he categorically denies all of the other allegations, from all 20 women, in some cases questioning their credibility. They deny their client is a serial sexual predator.
This morning, Michaela has released a statement saying 'I have shared to show solidarity, to express my belief in them and to stand with them in their indignation'.
Given the speculation, Coel also fittingly made it clear that people should remember that it is absolutely fair and understandable (and a legal right) that those who have wished to make allegations anonymously should be allowed to do so and listened to with the same respect.
There has been a lot of search traffic in recent hours around the names of women and celebrities who worked with Clarke - less traffic (near none) around the men who have also worked with him.
Coel wrote: 'I am here to offer great support for the 20 brave women who have come forward; those who have shared their identities with us, but also those who have preferred to use an alias; the mental hurdles a black woman must overcome to do such a thing as reveal their identity within a narrative of rape abuse or bullying at the hands of someone within our own community can sometimes be too much.
'Speaking out about these incidents take a lot of strength because some call them 'grey areas'. They are however far from grey. These behaviours are unprofessional, violent and can destroy a person's perception of themselves, their place in the world and their career irreparably. I have shared to show solidarity, to express my belief in them and to stand with them in their indignation.
'I applaud the Guardianand its journalists for investigating and publishing this story.'