The FT is defending the libel claim, claiming its reporting is accurate. Records from Companies House, the UK’s official register, showed that Mr Odey was reappointed a director of the firm in late September last year. Mr Odey was first sued by some of the women in 2023, and launched the libel claim in May 2024. Adam Speker KC, representing Mr Odey in the libel claim, said the allegations were of a “gravely defamatory nature” which had caused “very serious harm to his reputation” and “serious distress and embarrassment”. She said that having two trials could see Mr Odey’s alleged victims having to give evidence twice, which would be “highly undesirable”.
