Broadcaster speaks out after defamation case win

A broadcaster who was targeted on social media by ex-footballer Joey Barton has said she hoped a judgement that his posts were defamatory would make people think twice about what they said online.

Former England striker Eni Aluko said she should not have to be anxious that her race and gender would be attacked every time she was on TV.

Speaking after winning the first stage of a libel claim against Barton, she said she now hoped people would think twice about what they posted online.

The 38-year-old said she was "past the point of asking nicely for people to understand the importance of language and how to treat women".

Referring to comments made by Aluko in 2020 which appeared to criticise people placed on the government's furlough scheme, for which she apologised, Barton posted comments suggesting Aluko's late father had been financially corrupt, and that her private education made her a "hypocrite".

He also accused her of "playing the race card".

High Court judge Mr Justice Lavender ruled Barton's comments were mainly statements of opinion, but were defamatory by meaning or innuendo.

Aluko told BBC News: "This needs to change. I can't feel anxious every time I get on TV that my race and my gender are going to be attacked.

There's a double standard help for me, sometimes a triple standard held for me as a black women, if I say anything.

"This is bigger than me. This was just not something I could accept and actually it's part of a wider culture towards women in broadcasting.

"Opinions and free speech are a human right and I support but it can't be weaponised and used as a route to hate speech"

"The only way to change is to hold people accountable."

The former Lioness scored 33 international goals in 102 appearances before retiring in 2020 and moving onto a career in broadcasting.

She said she had faced threats of violence and had suffered abuse on social media after Barton twice posted on X about her in January 2024.

The ITV and BT Sport regular said she hoped the judge's finding would lead to more people speaking out about bad behaviour and online abuse.

She added: "I love what I do. I love broadcasting. I love talking about football. I love being an example for other young black girls and women of colour that you can do it and can break into spaces that ordinarily have not always been taken up."

Barton is yet to respond to the ruling and could appeal. The 42-year-old could also defend the statements if the case goes to trial.

In a separate criminal case, Barton, 42, has pleaded not guilty to allegedly posting offensive comments on social media about Aluko, as well as broadcasters Lucy Ward and Jeremy Vine.

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