Jeremy Vine appeared close to tears in court as he described to a jury the impact of what he called a “cloud of filth” spread about him online by former footballer Joey Barton.
The broadcaster told Liverpool Crown Court that he feared for the safety of his children after Barton repeatedly branded him a paedophile on social media and encouraged followers to send him supposed evidence to support the claim.
Vine, 60, said Barton’s posts, shared to an audience of around three million on X, had been viewed millions of times and had left him deeply distressed.
The court heard that Barton had also shared Vine’s home address and suggested the public contact police if he was seen near a primary school.
Vine said the campaign had not only attacked his reputation but had introduced fear into his family life.
In quiet, emotional tones, he told the jury: “I’m a law abiding father of two and a good husband and these were disgusting allegations. I was particularly concerned about my young daughters but I didn’t want to communicate this to them.
“The youngest in particular would get upset. I felt I had to explain this cloud of filth to them and where it came from.”
Jeremy Vine has condemned the 'disgusting allegations' from Joey Barton
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The dispute began after Vine responded to a social media post in which Barton compared football analysts Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.
Vine criticised the remark and asked whether Barton was suffering from a brain injury. After some users said the comment was insensitive to those who live with brain trauma, Vine amended his tweet. That did nothing to slow the escalation that followed.
What came next, he said, was “like a violent assault.”
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Jeremy Vine has described Joey Barton's comments on X as 'like a violent assault'
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Barton began referring to Vine as a “bike nonce” and linked his name to the disgraced Rolf Harris and Jeffrey Epstein.
Vine said: “I felt I was wantonly being torn down for no reason. I made my initial comment, tried to modify it and then just tried to leave it alone.
“I could see Mr Barton wanted some kind of push back. He had obviously decided to go all in on abusing me and I was beginning to become very worried.”
He continued: “This was a despicable thing to say. It gravely, gravely upset me and I had sleepless nights. His followers miked up the phrase and he amplified their replies with his own comments. I didn’t want to inflame it any more. I was very alarmed. I had a sense he was not going to stop.”
Vine eventually launched a libel case, believing it the quickest way to halt the allegations.
Barton responded by publicly asking whether anyone had “anything” on Vine to help him defend himself.
Joey Barton denies the allegations against him
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Vine said he was “astonished,” telling the court: “I thought, this is incredible. I could not believe I was seeing it.”
The libel action concluded with Barton ordered to pay sums of £75,000 and £35,000 plus legal costs, as well as issuing an apology which was pinned to his X profile.
One part of the apology concerned a doctored video that suggested Vine supported compulsory vaccination, something he had never said.
Barton, 43, now stands trial charged with 12 counts of sending grossly offensive messages with intent to cause distress or anxiety. He denies the charges. The case continues.