Joey Barton launches GoFundMe campaign as the outspoken former footballer claims Jeremy Vine’s lawsuit could ‘easily cost £500,000’… after the broadcaster sued over ‘bike nonce’ social media jibe

Joey Barton has launched a fundraising campaign after BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine took legal action after the former footballer branded him a ‘bike nonce’ on social media.

Vine reportedly filed a defamation claim last week after Barton compared Vine to pedophiles like Rolf Harris.

Barton wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Vine’s legal action “could easily cost me up to £500,000.”

The ex-Manchester City player claimed that Vine’s lawyers had originally asked for ‘£50,000 to charity and all his costs and apologies’, before claiming that the demands are now ‘in excess of £250,000.

‘His lawyers originally asked for £50,000 from charity and all his costs and apologies. I offered to donate £10,000 to charity. Apologies and delete said tweets. I then got another letter demanding £100,000 after @LozzaFox had his case in the high courts. (And the letter from Eni Aluko from the same law firm!)

‘I offered him £25,000 to charity. To put it to bed. I have just now received a claim for over £250,000 but interestingly it is no longer going to his charity.

‘Needless to say, I am no longer willing to negotiate. How can a man who attacks you on national television get angry when the joke turns on him? What a shame of a man. #BikeNonce.”

Barton, 41, has claimed that all money raised through his GoFundMe page will be donated to the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust.

The GoFundMe page – titled Championing Justice: Uniting Behind Joey Barton – claims the former footballer is ‘at the forefront of a fight for justice and fairness’.

“In the ever-expanding arena of social media, where reputations are made and destroyed in the blink of an eye, one man finds himself in the eye of the storm: Joey Barton, the former football player whose journey has taken a dramatic turn,” the page reads.

‘Caught in a whirlwind of defamation accusations stemming from allegedly derogatory tweets, Barton is at the forefront of a fight for justice and fairness against none other than Jeremy Vine, a prominent figure in the media landscape.

‘Barton’s latest challenge is renowned for his skill and tenacity on the football pitch and transcends the boundaries of the sport. It is a clash of principles, a fight against baseless accusations that threaten to tarnish not only his reputation, but also the fabric of integrity in our digital age.

“The recent debacle, sparked by Jeremy Vine’s television comments insinuating Barton’s alleged ‘brain injury’, is a stark reminder of the power of media personalities and the responsibility that comes with it. But amid the storm of controversy, Barton remains steadfast, determined to seek justice and restore his honor.

‘Joey Barton’s fight against defamation transcends the boundaries of individuality; it is a testament to the enduring values ​​of integrity, honesty and responsibility. By standing with Barton, we are sending a resounding message that unwarranted attacks from media figures will not go unchallenged.

“Let us stand shoulder to shoulder with Joey Barton on his journey toward vindication, ensuring that the voices of truth and decency prevail in the face of slander and libel. Together we can make a tangible difference in the pursuit of justice. Join us today to champion the cause of truth.”

Barton had previously shared photos of what appeared to be legal documents on X earlier this week.

He wrote, “So @theJeremyVine is suing me… The guy who served me the papers was fine. He said he completely agreed with me and had to move on.”

The pair have been embroiled in a feud on the social media platform for some time now.

Vine previously shared his thoughts on Barton’s comments, saying: ‘Is it possible that we are dealing with a brain injury here?’

In one particular post dated January 8, 2024, Barton wrote, “Oh Jeremy Vine. Did you, Rolf-aroo and Schofield take a tandem ride? You big bike, nonce ya!’

In another post, Barton wrote: ‘If you see this guy at a primary school please call 999…’

Vine’s legal action comes after Eni Aluko confirmed she was taking legal action against Barton over a “defamatory” social media post about her family.

Barton has been widely condemned – even by Rishi Sunak – for his attacks on female experts, even going so far as to invoke the names of serial killers Fred and Rose West when making vindictive comments online.

in January, the former Man City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder took to X to make a bizarre comment about Aluko and her family.

On January 19, he wrote: “More has come to light about poor little Eni Aluko. My father was a Nigerian senator. False money. Escaped to England. Huge house in Wentworth. 3 Rolls Royces (sic). St Mary’s in Ascot private education. Lawyer. Race card player.”

In a statement on her Instagram account, Aluko wrote: “Joey Barton recently published a post on X that made untrue, inaccurate and defamatory allegations about me and my family.

“It is particularly damaging that Mr Barton has implicated my family in that position, suggesting that my late father, a leading Nigerian senator, received ‘dodgy money’ and that I had benefited from his corruption which fueled my lavish lifestyle, including Rolls Royce , paid. cars and private education. Mr. Barton also publicly stated that he knew where my family lived.

‘These, and the other allegations he made in the post, are all completely untrue and have caused me extreme harm and distress.

‘These were taken just days after I publicly stated that I was genuinely scared, following Mr Barton’s repeated online posts attacking me with extremely violent comparisons in recent weeks.

“I have instructed Judith Thompson of Samuel’s Solicitors, as well as Sara Mansoori KC and Ifeanyi Odogwu of Matrix Chambers, to send a letter to Mr Barton before action, setting out the true position and requesting that the post on X be deleted.

“Rather than delete his post, Mr. Barton today published a post mischaracterizing my legal complaint with a photo of my claim letter, leading to further abuse of me and my legal advisors.

“Although he has now deleted that post, it was necessary to make this statement to advance the correct position.”