BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, has suspended British actor and producer Noel Clarke following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The body told CNN in a statement on Friday that it had made the decision to suspend Clarke’s membership, along with his recent award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, » in light of the allegations of serious misconduct » leveled against him in the Guardian newspaper. « BAFTA has taken the decision to suspend his membership and the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award immediately and until further notice, » it added. The suspension comes just weeks after Clarke was given the award — one of the academy’s most prestigious honors — at its annual ceremony on April 10. According to the Guardian, claims of sexual harassment and bullying were made against Clarke by 20 women, all of whom knew him in a professional capacity between 2004 and 2019. The Guardian claims BAFTA was aware of some of the allegations before the award ceremony. The 45-year-old star, best known for his roles in » Doctor Who » and the film « Kidulthood, » denied any wrongdoing in a statement to the Guardian through his lawyers. « 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, » he said in the statement. « If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise.
