High Court libel hearing told of Joey Barton arrest after call from Liverpool police station

Eni Aluko’s representative said Huyton-born Barton “was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody”

A civil libel hearing involving Joey Barton was told of his arrest after a phone call from a duty solicitor in a Liverpool police station. The ECHO reported on Tuesday that Barton was one of two men held following an alleged assault near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

The ECHO understands Barton, 43, and another suspect, aged 50, were both arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding after an alleged assault left a man with face and rib injuries. He was taken to hospital for further treatment.

At a High Court hearing over a libel claim involving Barton, Gervase de Wilde, representing ex-England footballer Eni Aluko, said his instructing solicitor had “received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool” shortly before the hearing.

Mr de Wilde told the court that Huyton-born Barton “was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody”.

Merseyside Police erected a cordon on Fairway in the Knowsley town on Sunday night. The ECHO understands police dropped the cordon but then re-erected it.

Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March. At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of s18 wounding.

“They are both currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”

Barton made 269 appearances in the Premier League, including 130 for Manchester City. Following his playing career he had a spell as manager of League One side Bristol Rovers.

Barton now presents the Common Sense with Joey Barton podcast where he discusses football, cancel culture, grooming gangs and politics.