Judge rejects attempt to strike out publisher’s defences after hearing application was ‘absolutely hopeless’

Noel Clarke has suffered a blow in his legal action against the Guardian after a high court judge rejected his attempt to strike out the publisher’s defences in the case.

In central London on Wednesday the actor and producer sought to prevent the Guardian relying on the defences of truth and public interest at a trial for defamation and data protection, but Mrs Justice Steyn rejected the application after hearing that it was “absolutely hopeless”.