Joey Barton’s lawyers brand libel claim by Eni Aluko against former footballer as ‘unreasonable’

Joey Barton’s lawyers brand libel claim by Eni Aluko against former footballer as ‘unreasonable’

Joey Barton’s lawyers have branded a libel claim against him by ex-England star Eni Aluko as ‘unreasonable’.

Barton is being sued by Ex-Chelsea and England star, Aluko, 37, over two posts made by the disgraced ex-Bristol Rovers manager in January. 

The first hearing into the libel case was held today at London’s High Court, with Aluko appearing to watch proceedings.  

During the court session, a judge was asked to consider the ‘natural and ordinary meaning’ of the posts and whether they were innuendos made about Aluko being dishonest and hypocritical.

Gervase de Wilde, representing Aluko, said readers would take the meaning of the posts as that the broadcaster is ‘laughable and unreasonable’.

Pundit Eni Aluko is suing Joey Barton over comments he made about her and her family online which she says are ‘defamatory’. She is pictured at the Royal Courts of Justice today

Barton likened Aluko, 37, and fellow female football pundit Lucy Ward to serial killer Rose West

Barton likened Aluko, 37, and fellow female football pundit Lucy Ward to serial killer Rose West

However, William McCormick KC, for Mr Barton, described the claims against the ex-Bristol Rovers manager as ‘strained, forced and unreasonable’.

In January, Aluko confirmed she was taking legal action against the ex-Premier League footballer over a ‘defamatory’ social media post about her family.

On January 19, Barton had written on X: ‘More has come to light about poor, little Eni Aluko. Dad was a Nigerian Senator. Dodgy money. Ran to England. Massive house in Wentworth. 3 Rolls Royce’s. St Mary’s in Ascot private education. Lawyer. Race card player.’

In a statement, the TV pundit labelled Barton’s comments ‘untrue’ and ‘inaccurate’ before confirming she would take legal action.

She wrote: ‘Joey Barton recently published a Post on X which made untrue, inaccurate and defamatory allegations about me and my family.

‘It is particularly harmful that Mr Barton involved my family in that post, suggesting my late father, a distinguished Nigerian senator, was in receipt of “dodgy money” and that I had benefitted from his corruption which paid for my lavish lifestyle including Rolls Royce cards and a private education. Mr Barton also publicly stated he knew where my family lived.

‘These, and the other allegations he made in the post, are all entirely untrue and have caused me extreme harm and distress.’

‘These were made just days after I stated publicly that I was genuinely scared, following Mr Barton’s repeated online posts targeting me using extreme violent comparisons in previous weeks.’ 

Aluko said at the time the posts against her had made her 'genuinely scared'. She is pictured outside Royal Courts of Justice in London

Aluko said at the time the posts against her had made her ‘genuinely scared’. She is pictured outside Royal Courts of Justice in London 

Barton faced a furious backlash for another attack on Aluko and Ward after the FA Cup third round clash between Crystal Palace and Everton in January.

He wrote: ‘How is she even talking about men’s football? She can’t even kick a ball properly. Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low. Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.’ 

Broadcaster ITV criticised his ‘vindictive remarks’ and campaign group Women in Football praised the channel for coming out in support of Aluko and Ward.

The hearing before Mr Justice Lavender concluded on Thursday and a decision in writing will be given at a later date.

Barton savaged Eni Aluko while she was working on Everton's game against Crystal Palace

He also made a sick taunt towards Aluko and broadcaster Lucy Ward

Aluko (left) and Ward (right) were both victims to Barton’s social media attacks after he compared the pundits to serial killers Fred and Rose West

Barton has previously faced court action over his controversial social media rants. 

He was recently ordered to pay a total of £110,000 to settle a libel claim with broadcaster Jeremy Vine after he made a number of social media posts suggesting the Radio 2 presenter had a sexual interest in children.

The ex-footballer had called Vine a ‘bike nonce’ and a ‘paedo defender’.

Fred and Rose West  are among Britain’s worst serial killers. 

The evil couple raped, tortured and murdered an unknown number of people. 

When cops were eventually led to the couple’s “‘house of horror’ at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, they found the bodies of nine girls. Three further bodies were later found elsewhere.  

Fred West died in January 1995, taking his own life on New Year’s Eve. 

Rose was jailed for life.  

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