12h 45min, jun 25, 2020 y - MEDIA COVERAGE 25 June 2020 News Group Newspapers call for Johnny Depp's libel case to be thrown out of court

Description:

FROM THE MIRROR:

Johnny Depp's libel case kicks off as publishers call for it to be thrown out of court

Johnny Depp is suing News Group Newspapers over a story published in The Sun in 2018 which branded him a 'wife beater'. The case has started at the High Court with remote preliminary hearing prior to the full trial

By Louise Randell

Johnny Depp's libel case kicked off today with a preliminary hearing in which an application was made for it to be thrown out of court.

The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers - the publishers of The Sun - over a story which appeared in the publication in 2018 branding him a "wife beater".

It related to allegations from Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard, 34, who claims the actor was violent towards her - which he denies.

Today's High Court hearing took place remotely ahead of a full trial which has been scheduled for July.

Lawyers for News Group Newspapers asked Mr Justice Nicol to strike out Depp’s legal action – claiming he has not complied with a court order to disclose evidence from separate US libel proceedings against Heard.

Depp’s lawyers have described the shock move by NGN as an "ambush" and said it was "tactical, just a distraction".

Depp, 57, is believed to have flown into London to take part and is expected to isolate for 14 days under the UK's new quarantine regulations before case gets fully underway.

The case is expected to last three weeks.

It stems from a story published under the headline "GONE POTTY How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?"

The trial had originally been slated to start on March 25, but it was put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Justice Nicol has previously ruled that statements from Depp's former partners, Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder, can be included in the trial.

Both women state the actor was never violent towards them.

David Sherborne, representing Mr Depp, explained in court documents that the actor's relationship with Paradis ended in 2012, shortly before Depp and Heard were together, "and when he is first alleged to have been violent".

In her witness statement, Ms Paradis said: "I have known Johnny for more than 25 years.

"We've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together.

"Through all these years I've known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father...

"He was never violent or abusive to me."

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: