Joey Barton says he is the victim of “political persecution” over X posts

Former footballer Joey Barton told a jury he believed he was the victim of a “political prosecution” and denied he sent alleged highly offensive social media posts “to get clicks and promote himself”.

He told the court he had not intended to call broadcaster Jeremy Vine a pedophile and described it as a “bad, dark and childish joke”.

The former Manchester City midfielder is on trial for “crossing the line between freedom of expression and crime” through posts on the X website about broadcaster and commentators Lucy Ward and Eni Aloko.

Giving evidence at Liverpool Crown Court, the 43-year-old said his references to Vine were merely a “filter”.

He said: “It was not meant to be called a pedophile. It was a bad, dark and childish joke.”

“At no time did I attempt to cause distress or anxiety or risk his life or the lives of his daughters.

“I don’t want people to fear for their lives, I’m a father.

“I can’t believe I’m being prosecuted for this. Words on a social media site.”

The court heard that after an FA Cup match in January 2024, critics compared Ward and Aloko to “Fred and Rose West’s football commentary”.

Fred and Rose West gained notoriety after killing and abusing a number of women over a 20-year period.

Mr Barton is then said to have described Vine as a pedophile in several posts after the broadcaster sent a message inquiring whether the former player had a “brain injury”.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Peter Wright KC said: “The fact is that you targeted these women and intimidated them.”

Barton, from Huyton on Merseyside, said: “If you are facing the public, you have to accept that there will be criticism and reactions that you don’t like.”

“Is it the truth that, under the guise of your right to free speech, you engage in personal slurs and highly offensive statements to those you feel are fair game?” Wright said.

“Sometimes I use the wrong language. I was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way,” said Barton, who also played for Newcastle and Marseille.

He denied that he was trying to attract more clicks and promote himself.

“I had these views about women and their role in men’s soccer, and I expressed them forcefully,” Wright said.

“Yes,” replied Mr. Barton.

“And if someone challenges you on this, you have to double down,” Mr. Wright said.

“No, I stand my ground,” Mr. Barton said.

“You’re saying to the jury that your aim here, firstly in relation to the critics or commentators involved, what you were seeking to do was to create controversy about this topic,” Mr Wright said.

“That was my intention,” said Barton, who also managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.

He said he felt like he was being subjected to a “political trial” since the police first knocked on his door.

“This was the state, in my opinion, trying to pin me down,” he said.

“It’s online celebrity feuds.

“I think this is a very politicized issue.”

“You sought to deviate, divert and avoid,” Mr. Wright said. “That’s the attitude, isn’t it?”

Mr Barton replied: “I think this is a government prosecution whatever their agenda is in pressuring people.”

Barton, who is now from Widnes, Cheshire, denies 12 charges of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or alarm between January and March last year.