Man wins ‘substantial damages’ over portrayal in Steve Coogan Richard III film

A university academic will be awarded “substantial damages” after a court ruled that his portrayal in a Steve Coogan film about the discovery of Richard III’s remains was defamatory.

Richard Taylor, the writer of the movie The Lost King, filed a lawsuit against the comedian as well as the production company Baby Cow and Pathe Production.

On Monday it was announced that Mr Taylor, who was unhappy with the way his character was portrayed, had succeeded in his claim.

The film, which tells the story of the search for the Plantagenet monarch in Leicester council car park in 2012, will now include a message at the front of the film and defamatory comments will not be repeated.

Mr Taylor launched a High Court case claiming the film made him appear “misogynistic” and “weasel-like”.

Speaking to the BBC outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the verdict, Mr Taylor said: “I am really pleased that we have finally found that the film was a defamatory portrayal of me, that its portrayal of me was unfounded and distorted the search for Richard III.

“And I do not let this overshadow the outcome of a fantastic team effort, a collaborative experience in which university academics and amateurs came together to search for Richard III.

“But it is great that we found in court that The Lost King was a misleading, defamatory and untrue depiction of what happened in Leicester in 2012.”

The Lost King focused on historian Philippa Langley’s role in the search, which also involved archaeologists from the University of Leicester.

Mr Taylor was assistant registrar at the University of Leicester at the time and was later played in the film by actor Lee Ingleby.

In June, Judge Jaron Lewis ruled Mr Taylor was portrayed in the film that he “knowingly misrepresented the facts about the discovery to the media and the public” and that he was “conceited, overly condescending and arrogant” which could be defamatory.

The case was due to proceed to trial, but Mr Taylor’s lawyers said at a hearing on Monday that the parties had settled the claim.

As well as reaching a financial settlement, the defendants will include a card at the front of the film in versions in England and Wales.

The card will read: “There is a character named Richard Taylor who is portrayed in this film as an employee of the University of Leicester, but his portrayal is fictional and does not represent the actions of the real Mr Taylor, who was employed as assistant registrar at the University of Leicester and acted with integrity during the events depicted.”

The defendants said no editing or cutting of the film was part of the agreement.

In a statement after the hearing, Mr Taylor, who is now chief operating officer at Loughborough University, added: “Whilst it is clear to me that the defendants were misled about the events surrounding the discovery, they made a deliberate choice to accept these accounts by refraining from speaking or checking the key facts.

“Our work is being turned into a false caricature of university elitism, ivory towers and self-interest.”

Mr Taylor said Philippa Langley initiating the project and “establishing trust” made it possible for Richard III to be found.

He added: “His was a remarkable contribution. But it did not extend to leading archaeological research or scientific analysis, which he was neither qualified nor experienced to lead.”

“I could have thrown Philippa’s outreach approach into the bin when it arrived in 2011, and there have been days over the last three years where I wish I had done so.

“But I did not do that, and my decision to use the university’s resources and expertise enabled this pursuit.”

Shakespeare Martineau’s libel partner Daniel Jennings, who represents Mr Taylor, described it as a “David and Goliath insult moment”.

He said: “Individuals often feel unable to speak out against big corporations and public figures, but this win shows there is recourse when wrongs are made.

“We live in an age dominated by documentaries, podcasts and highly public investigative journalism, and there is a growing trend for film and television productions to be tagged as ‘real accounts’ to capture audience attention and generate media buzz around new releases.

“Mr Taylor’s win should be a real warning to anyone who wants to use these tactics.

“The law is very clear and there are defined remedies for individuals who have misrepresented themselves.”

A joint statement from Pathe Productions, Baby Cow Productions and Steve Coogan added: “As a distributor and producer known for bringing complex, real-life stories to audiences, we are deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with such portrayals and approach each project with care, honesty and a commitment to authenticity.

“We are incredibly proud of this film and pleased that this matter has now been resolved.

“As part of the agreement, no material editorial changes will be made to the film beyond an on-screen statement at the beginning of the film.”

Additional reporting by Dan Martin