The Times and the Mail Online have apologised to The British Academy of Film and Television Arts and its chair after making false allegations about his relationship with the actor and filmmaker Noel Clarke.
The arts charity took legal action for defamation against the two publications following their coverage of allegations of misconduct against the award-winning actor.
Bafta filed a serious incident report to the Charity Commission in April after sexual harassment allegations were made against Clarke by about 20 women.
Clarke strongly rejected all the claims and said he intended to defend himself against them.
It was alleged that Bafta knew about the allegations before presenting Clarke with its award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema earlier that month – a claim the charity denied.
The charity said that in the subsequent coverage, an article in The Times falsely claimed that its chair, Krishnendu Majumdar, had “close links” with Clarke.
It also implied that because both Majumdar and Clarke are men of colour, this also influenced the decision to present Clarke with the OBCC award.
Both claims were baseless, said the charity.
Bafta said the Mail Online repeated The Times’ story, albeit focusing on the “close links” claim.
The charity made a legal complaint to both publications for defamation, given that Majumdar had never met or worked with Clarke outside of Bafta.
It also made a complaint against The Times about a racist element in the story.
In their apologies, both publications accepted that the “close links” claim was incorrect.
In a statement, the charity said: “It is important to Bafta that these defamatory and untrue articles have been removed and apologies published as they were very seriously damaging, undermining the very good work Bafta has done as an arts charity on diversity and inclusion, as well as the proper manner in which it conducted itself in respect of the Clarke matter.”
The Times said: “We reported concerns that Krishnendu Majumdar’s close links with Noel Clarke and their work together to promote diversity could have hampered Bafta’s handling of the sex allegations against Clarke.
“We accept that this suggestion is incorrect. There are no close links between the men.
“Bafta’s response to the allegations was delegated to a group deputed to deal with the issue.
“Bafta has explained that the matter was determined by the lack of evidence it had at the time of having to make its decision on whether to proceed with presenting Mr Clarke with an award.
“We apologise to Mr Majumdar and Bafta for the distress.”
In reference to its article, the Mail Online said: “An article on 3 May reported claims in The Times that Bafta chairman Krishnendu Majumdar had close links to Noel Clarke, the actor facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.
“We now accept that the reference to close links was incorrect.
“Bafta says its decision to allow Clarke to receive a previously announced award was taken by a group and determined by the lack of evidence it had at the time.
“We are happy to make this clear and apologise to Bafta and Mr Majumdar.”