A High Court judge has ruled that Joey Barton calling Jeremy Vine a ‘bike nonce’ on social media did have a defamatory meaning after the broadcaster sued the former footballer. The BBC Radio and Channel 5 presenter is suing Barton for libel and harassment over 14 online posts, including where he called Vine a “big bike nonce” and a “pedo defender” on social media. The judge concluded that 11 of the posts could defame Mr. Vine, stating that the term ‘nonce’ was used in its primary meaning to allege the claimant has a sexual interest in children. Barton alleged that the abuse began after questioning his comments on women in football and launched a calculated attack on Vine in January. Barton’s barrister claimed that the posts were simply vulgar abuse and not libelous, while Vine’s barrister argued that the posts contained references to Vine having a sexual interest in children.
Vine’s barrister argued that Barton’s posts reflected a sustained attack on Vine following comments on women in football and accused him of having a brain injury. Barton published posts on social media referring to Vine as a ‘bike nonce,’ which led to the term trending on the platform. While Barton’s legal team claimed the posts were jocular and in bad taste, the judge ruled that the ordinary reader would view them as taunting and ridiculing Vine for an alleged proclivity towards children. Barton’s career history was also discussed, with details of his time playing for football teams and managing others in the English Football League provided as context.
Despite Barton’s defense that the posts were meant as humorous abuse, the judge ruled that the use of the term ‘bike nonce’ was defamatory and carried a serious allegation against Vine. The judge’s interpretation of the posts led her to conclude that the term ‘nonce’ was used in the sense of a pedophile, reinforced by the use of the term ‘pedo defender’ in conjunction with it. Barton’s response to Vine’s initial comments on female pundits quickly escalated into a series of abusive social media posts, resulting in a legal battle between the two parties. Barton’s legal team tried to argue that the posts were made in the heat of the moment, but the judge dismissed this defense, citing the serious nature of the allegations made.
The judge’s ruling in favor of Vine underlines the seriousness of online abuse and defamation, highlighting the legal consequences of making defamatory statements on social media. The case involving Joey Barton calling Jeremy Vine a ‘bike nonce’ serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of irresponsible behavior online, especially towards public figures. Both parties will continue to navigate legal proceedings as this case unfolds, shedding light on the legal intricacies of libel and harassment in the context of social media. The court’s decision sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for their actions and words online, emphasizing the importance of responsible communication and respectful discourse in the digital age.
