QB-2022-001397 - [2025] EWHC 2193 (KB)

On 29 January 2025, I heard Mr Clarke’s application to strike out the Guardian’s entire defence, or alternatively its public interest defence. At the outset of the hearing, I heard Mr Clarke’s ancillary application for permission to cross-examine Paul Lewis, the Guardian’s Head of Investigations. For the reasons that I gave in my ex tempore judgment, I refused the application to cross-examine Mr Lewis: Clarke v Guardian [2025] EWHC 180 (KB). I dismissed the strike out application at the conclusion of the hearing, giving my reasons in a judgment handed down on 5 February 2025: Clarke v Guardian [2025] EWHC 222 (KB). Permission to appeal the dismissal of the strike out application was refused by Warby LJ on 27 February 2025: Clarke v Guardian [2025] EWCA Civ 187.