Noel Clarke has been ordered to pay the Guardian an initial £3m towards its legal costs from successfully defending his libel claim over an investigation in which the actor was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women. Clarke had shown a “general pattern of only being prepared to admit that which was established by documentary evidence”, said Steyn. Steyn said the total legal costs incurred by the Guardian had been increased by the conduct of Clarke and his legal team. The writer and producer of the Kidulthood trilogy had argued that the costs order should be stayed pending his decision on whether to appeal. But Steyn told him that a party’s ability to pay becomes relevant only at the enforcement stage, not when determining the appropriate amount.