Geoffrey Rush Is Suing The Daily Telegraph For Defamation

Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has filed defamation proceedings against The Daily Telegraph in response to misconduct allegations against him that were published over the past week.

In a short statement to media today, Rush described the allegations as “slurs, innuendo and hyperbole”, and said they had caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation, as well as hurt to his family.

“The Daily Telegraph has made false, pejorative and demeaning claims — splattering them with unrelenting bombast on its front pages,” he said.

“The situation is intolerable and I must now seek vindication of my good name through the courts.”

Statement from Geoffrey Rush @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/u4cxVp5m3L

— Madeline Slattery (@maddieslattery) December 8, 2017

Last week, the Telegraph ran a front-page story about a complaint made against Rush during the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2015 production of King Lear. No details were provided of the nature of the complaint, and Rush denied any inappropriate behaviour.

The story was picked up by media outlets worldwide, and shortly afterwards Rush stepped down as President of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, saying in a statement that “certain recent media reports have made untenable allegations concerning my standing in the entertainment community. It is unreasonable that my professional colleagues should be somehow associated with such allegations.”

“In the current climate of innuendo and unjustifiable reporting, I believe the decision to make a clean break to clear the air is the best for all concerned.”

Earlier this week, the ABC’s Media Watch suggested that the Telegraph may have left itself open to defamation proceedings by running a front page story based on a single, unspecified complaint. A number of other outlets advised their journalists not to run or share the story due to the risk involved, Media Watch reported.

There’s no court date as yet, but we’ll keep you posted.