Joey Barton Pays £75k to Jeremy Vine Over Libel Row
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has issued a full apology to radio star Jeremy Vine and forked out £75,000 in damages. This follows a High Court showdown after Barton was sued for libel and harassment over nasty social media posts.
Barton’s Online Rant Sparks Legal Action
The 41-year-old sparked outrage with a series of slurs and false claims against 59-year-old Vine. Between January 8 and 12, 2024, Barton accused Vine of having a sexual interest in children—a baseless allegation that went viral and caused huge distress.
One hashtag used by Barton even trended on social media, amplifying the offensive claims.
Apology and Admission of Guilt
In an apology shared on X, Barton said: “I recognise that this is a very serious allegation. It is untrue. I do not believe that Mr Vine has a sexual interest in children, and I wish to set the record straight.”
He also admitted misleading fans by sharing an edited clip that wrongly suggested Vine supported forced COVID-19 vaccinations—a claim Barton now acknowledges was false.
Barton Covers Legal Costs, Vows Not to Repeat Claims
Alongside the payout, Barton agreed to cover Vine’s legal fees and promised to stop spreading the lies. Vine’s lawyers branded Barton’s actions a “calculated and sustained attack.”
The fallout shows how damaging and costly false social media claims can be, especially when aimed at public figures.
Barton has expressed regret over the distress caused and hopes to put this messy saga behind him.
