Richard Taylor, former deputy registrar at the University of Leicester, has won a landmark defamation settlement against Steve Coogan, Baby Cow Productions (BBC Studios-backed), and Pathé Productions. The High Court finalized the settlement on October 27, 2025. Taylor receives substantial damages with no trial required.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Settlement Terms Approved by High Court Judge
Mrs Justice Collins Rice presided over the hearing on October 27, 2025, approving binding settlement terms:
- Substantial damages payment to Taylor (amount confidential per court order)
- Damages include Taylor’s legal costs
- On-screen disclaimer added to all future film releases
- Case terminated before trial begins
Mrs Justice Collins Rice stated: “These were momentous historical events and finding yourself represented in a feature film about them must be an unsettling experience. I hope this statement and settlement help Mr Taylor move forward. It is much to the credit of both parties and their legal teams that the huge expense, stress and delay of a trial have been avoided.”[2][6]
June 2024 Ruling and October 2025 Settlement Hearing
Judge Jaron Lewis issued a June 14, 2024 summary judgment ruling establishing Taylor’s legal case had merit. He found the film portrays Taylor as having “knowingly misrepresented facts to the media and the public” about Richard III’s discovery, acting “smug, unduly dismissive and patronizing.” This ruling allowed the case to proceed to trial.[5][7][1]
Mrs Justice Collins Rice presided over the October 27, 2025 settlement hearing, where both parties announced agreement. No trial occurred.[6][8][2]
The Film’s Defamatory Portrayal of Richard Taylor
The Lost King (2022), directed by Stephen Frears and co-written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, dramatizes the 2012 discovery of King Richard III’s remains. Lee Ingleby portrays the character named Richard Taylor.
The on-screen character was depicted with these allegations:
- Dismissive and patronizing toward historian Philippa Langley
- Misogynistic in treatment of Langley’s research
- Described as “weasel-like” and “devious”
- Excluded Langley from the press conference announcing discovery
- Falsely claimed credit for the discovery
- Depicted as “smug, unduly dismissive and patronizing”[9][10]
Taylor’s Legal Team and Victory Statement
Richard Taylor was represented by Daniel Jennings (defamation partner) and Simran Kang at Shakespeare Martineau, with barristers William Bennett KC and Victoria Jolliffe at 5RB Chambers.[3][11]
Taylor stated: “The producers have accepted that their film is untrue and defamatory. It is a reckless hit job on my reputation. The producers will pay substantial damages and cover my legal team’s significant costs.”[11][3]
On the core issue, Taylor emphasized: “The discovery was a triumph of collaboration. Philippa Langley initiated the project; my academic colleagues led the archaeological search; my role was deploying university resources and expertise.”[3][11]
University of Leicester’s Official Position
The University of Leicester stated: “Justice has prevailed and truth has triumphed. The discovery represents partnership strength between the university, Leicester City Council, and the Richard III Society. University archaeologists led the dig and located the remains.”[11][3]
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2012 | Richard III’s remains discovered beneath Leicester car park |
| October 7, 2022 | Film released in United Kingdom |
| June 14, 2024 | Judge Jaron Lewis issues summary judgment ruling |
| October 27, 2025 | Mrs Justice Collins Rice approves settlement |
