Former football player Joey Barton must pay out a sizable sum of money following their High Court libel lawsuit last year, according to BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine.
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 after their High Court libel battle.
Vine sued Barton for libel and harassment over several online posts, including one in which he falsely called the BBC Radio 2 presenter a “big bike nonce” and a “pedo defender” on Twitter (X).
After Barton posted two apology messages on the same social media platform last year, the pair settled the dispute. They also paid Vine £110, 000 in damages in addition to his legal expenses.
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However, there had been some confusion regarding the exact amount Barton would pay out – something Vine has now attempted to clear up. In a series of tweets on Twitter (X), the The Jeremy Vine Show host told his followers he has “no further beef with Mr Barton” and “it is a relief just to be vindicated and to have the case settled so decisively”.
He wrote, “STATEMENT I’m grateful for your kind messages regarding my libel against Joey Barton.” I can confirm that the investigation is now complete and that I’m happy with the outcome. In my case alone, Mr. Barton has already given out more than half a million pounds.
The stages of the case appear to be in dispute. To explain the numbers, the following is provided. There is no further uproar against Mr. Barton, who has a number of ongoing legal issues. He also pleaded guilty to wife beating while also supporting my libel claim.
“My damages in the case were £110, 000. These were paid last year, and Mr. Barton publicly apologised in accordance with the rules. However, my legal fees ranged from 180 to 190k. Mr. Barton made a promise in court to pay the costs before deciding to contest the figure’s excessiveness.
Frustratingly, this caused me to file a separate lawsuit to recover my costs. Additionally, the separate action cost money. Two days before the costs recovery action, Mr. Barton paid the principal costs, but it was too late to avoid being held responsible for the costs recovery action.
Vine then went on to detail the enormous bill that the former footballer has to pay in detail and what might happen if Barton didn’t pay the money owed.
“Barton paid for the libel,” Barton claimed. The costs were paid for by him. He incurred costs with interest. He incurred the costs of losing a challenge. And because he had more expensive attorneys, he also paid his own costs, which will be higher than mine. Vine informed his followers that he had lost at least half a million pounds.
” BARTON’S BILL 110k — the libel. 160k — my costs. Interest on costs is $3,600. My costs-recovery action is $43,000. 200k — his costs. MINIMUM £516, 600. What if Barton refuses to pay or is unable to do so? was a question that was raised. I had to conduct legal searches on his home to make sure he had the funds. It is entirely his own. I was given the warning that his house could be seized if he didn’t pay.
“This would effectively make Mr. Barton my landlord and pay my rent there,” he said. I would have the right to force the sale of his home if he incurred a debt that would not pay my rent.
Vine concluded, “I had no wish to be in that position, and I am grateful to my lawyers for making sure we received the final payments today.” Gervase de Wilde, my attorney, is my lawyer, who has a background in online defamation. She is available at @devonsolicitors if you need her.
It’s a relief to be vindicated and to have the case resolved so decisively that I may return to this subject in due course. I appreciate you reading this, especially if you sent support messages. JV. “
Barrister Gervase de Wilde, for Vine, stated in a mutual statement read out at the High Court in October last year that Barton’s actions, which included a “constant and highly damaging campaign of defamation, harassment, and misuse of private information,” had deeply alarmed, distressed, and upset the broadcaster.
A specialist costs court heard earlier this month that Barton had agreed to pay the main legal action’s costs of £160, 000. Barton will now be responsible for paying the total of £203, 172.30 of Vine’s costs following the legal action, as ordered by Judge Colum Leonard to pay an additional £43, 172.30 due to the negotiation of the £160, 000 figure.
In May of last year, Vine’s attorneys claimed that Barton’s posts amounted to a “calculated and sustained attack.” During his career, Barton started using the hashtag “#bikenonce” on X, which caused it to become popular on the platform. He also played for teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United, Rangers, and French side Marseille.
After Mrs. Justice Steyn declared that some posts could defame Vine, Barton apologized to the journalist in June of last year, saying that the allegations he made were “untrue.”
He promised to pay Vine £75, 000 in damages, but Vine’s attorneys later claimed Barton would pay an additional £35, 000 as part of a “separate settlement” for claims that were published after the legal action was started.
Barton made four promises as part of the settlement, including one that did not harass Vine or encourage others to do so, according to Mr. De Wilde’s testimony at the hearing in October. Vine remarked after the hearing that Barton “needs to find a different hobby.”
