Jeremy Vine Testifies Ex-Footballer Joey Barton Caused Him “Wicked” Distress with Online Attacks
A broadcaster felt “wickedly torn down for no reason” by former professional footballer Joey Barton’s online posts, leading to civil action and a substantial settlement, a court has heard. Jeremy Vine testified that he intervened after Barton targeted fellow sports commentators Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko with deeply offensive social media content.
Vine, a prominent figure in British television and radio, told Liverpool Crown Court he was compelled to act after Barton shared an image online depicting Ward and Aluko’s faces superimposed onto a photograph of serial killers Fred and Rose West. The incident stemmed from commentary during an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton in January 2024, where Barton likened the broadcasters to the notorious couple.
Responding to Barton’s initial comment on X (formerly Twitter), Vine publicly questioned the former Manchester City and Newcastle United player’s mental state, writing: “What’s going on with @Joey7Barton? I just glanced at the Rose West thing… genuinely, is it possible we are dealing with a brain injury here?”
During his testimony on Wednesday, Vine described being “quite shocked” by Barton’s actions. “I thought it was very vicious to impose them on the images of two mass murderers of children, and I was looking for an explanation,” he stated. He explained his query about a potential brain injury was an attempt to underscore the severity of Barton’s transgression.
Barton, 43, is currently on trial at Liverpool Crown Court, accused of posting grossly offensive messages on X with the intent to cause distress or anxiety to the three broadcasters. The court heard that Barton responded to Vine’s tweet by referring to him as “you big bike nonce.” He also made references to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Vine recounted feeling “very alarmed” by Barton’s use of the term “nonce,” stating it signaled a dangerous escalation. “This now gets really serious. He is accusing me of being a paedophile,” Vine told the prosecutor. “These are disgusting actions. It’s a despicable thing to say. It gravely upset me, and I had a sleepless night that night.” As the posts continued, Vine “began to feel scared,” ultimately deciding to pursue civil action in March 2024.
Following the initiation of civil proceedings, Barton posted on X soliciting information about Vine, using the hashtag #bikenonce. Jurors learned that in June 2024, Barton agreed to pay Vine £75,000 in damages for defamation and harassment, covering legal expenses. A further settlement of £35,000 was reached for related issues.
The court was also informed that Barton issued a public apology on X in June 2024, acknowledging he had made a “very serious allegation” on social media. Despite the apology and settlements, Barton maintains his innocence, denying the offences allegedly committed between January and March 2024.
