The US lawyer representing Scotswoman Fiona Harvey in a lawsuit against Netflix has described Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd’s awards recognition as “an abomination” while insisting his client will not settle the case.
Just hours before Gadd was due to arrive at Sunday night’s BAFTA Scotland awards in Glasgow, lawyer Richard Roth described giving Gadd plaudits for “making money out of his hit TV as “grotesque”.
Roth of New York legal firm Roth Law is behind Harvey’s £132 million lawsuit over her alleged portrayal as a convicted stalker in Baby Reindeer.
Gadd, 35, from Wormit, Fife, is being recognised at the BAFTA Scotland bash in Glasgow tonight. He’ll also collect one of GQ’s Men of the Year awards on Tuesday for his mini-series which attracted 65 million viewers for Netflix.
Roth fumed: "He's complaining about fame for winning an Emmy and being a famous producer? He's complaining about making money and being famous? What a poor person. Don't give me that. It's like Beyonce complaining about being famous.
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
“Look at the difference with Fiona. She was getting death threats. There is one person who made money and that is Richard Gadd. He has a lucrative new job and he is a victim? That's nonsense. It wasn't something that was forced on him like what happened with Fiona.”
Responding to Gadd’s GQ magazine award, Roth added: "It's grotesque for him to be one of the men of the year. He's the man of the year, and she's sitting in her house worrying about whether she'll be able to go out.”
Harvey, from Aberdeenshire, is suing Netflix for defamation. She is seeking £132 million in damages over opening credits that claims, “This is a true story” despite the Baby Reindeer character she believes is based on her having been convicted of stalking and sent to prison twice. Harvey has never been convicted of any crime in real life.
Netflix argues that most viewers would understand that the claims made in the show were not factual because it was filmed in the style of a drama, but the judge disagreed with that.
Netflix appealed that ruling. Both sides were supposed to go to a plea deal last week, but Roth said that didn’t happen.
"We are exempt from negotiation because this case is not ready for negotiation,” he said. “We are very confident in our position and we will not give up. The person from the mediation office wanted to know if we were ready to settle and we said no. Negotiation is dead, but I never say never. There is very little chance that it will settle.”
This coming Tuesday, Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd will walk the red carpet outside London’s Tate Modern alongside a glittering host of celebrities before being honoured as one of GQ Magazine’s Men of the Year. Actors Jude Law and Nicole Kidman will be among the stars dishing out the awards on Tuesday. GQ described Gadd as one of the “most inventive and consequential” figures in culture who is “breaking the rules and changing the game”.
In September, Gadd won three Emmys: for writing, acting and outstanding limited series. He said on stage then: “You have made a little boy from a tiny Scottish town’s dreams come true.”
He’s also expected to succeed by collecting Golden Globes in January, with the support of an expensive Netflix publicity campaign.
Last month Netflix also announced it has secured his services as a writer in a ‘first look’ exclusive contract to develop ideas and scripts and take them into production.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.
English (US) ·