Bafta’s deputy chair, Dame Pippa Harris, has defended the academy’s decision to honour Noel Clarke despite warnings that allegations of sexual harassment were being made against him.
Clarke has “vehemently” denied allegations of sexual misconduct and criminal behaviour but apologised “deeply” for his actions and said he would be seeking professional help.
“If we had had one fraction of the information that The Guardian had had, we would never have given an award to Noel Clarke,” she said.
The day the accusations were published, Bafta suspended the Kidulthood star’s membership.