‘I’ll support her’ — Ian Bailey backs ex-partner Jules Thomas in her legal action against Netflix

27th November 2022

Ian Bailey has pledged to support his former partner Jules Thomas in her legal action against streaming giants Netflix.

Mr Bailey, who is not party to the legal proceedings, yesterday said he had made contact with his ex to offer any support she needs.

‘That’s funny you called – I have just sent her a text this very morning,’ Mr Bailey told Extra.ie.

Ian Bailey has pledged to support his former partner Jules Thomas in her legal action against streaming giants Netflix.© Provided by Extra.ie

‘First of all, I have the greatest of respect for Jules. I think she’s amazing and terrific. I sent her a text saying that if, in her legal action, she needed an affidavit from me to support her action, I am perfectly happy to give her that.

‘If she needs my support or needs anything from me, she will get it.’

This week it was reported that Ms Thomas, a landscape artist who lives in Schull, Co Cork, is suing Netflix over her portrayal in the series, Sophie: A Murder In West Cork, which began streaming last year. She is also suing the production company and the writer-director behind the documentary.

Mr Bailey, who is not party to the legal proceedings, yesterday said he had made contact with his ex to offer any support she needs. nhappy with the film as it is expected to show an image of her face after being attacked by Ian Bailey in 1996. Pic: Barbara McCarthy© Provided by Extra.ie

The body of the French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, 39, was found at the gate of her remote home near Schull on Christmas Eve 1996 after she was brutally bludgeoned to death.

Mr Bailey, who still lives in West Cork, said he has not yet received a response from Jules regarding his offer to act on her behalf.

But while he is prepared to step back inside a courtroom to support his former partner, the former journalist says has no intention to involve himself in any personal litigation, saying: ‘I’ve taken too many legal actions in the past. My life has been consumed by legal actions. My plan is to get on with things.’

The body of the French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, 39, was found at the gate of her remote home near Schull on Christmas Eve 1996 after she was brutally bludgeoned to death. Pic: REX/Shutterstock© Provided by Extra.ie

Mr Bailey has repeatedly denied any involvement in Ms Toscan du Plantier’s death. He was convicted of the murder in his absence by a court in France in 2019, but he has dismissed the case as a show trial designed to find him guilty.

In 2020, the High Court ruled Mr Bailey could not be extradited to France. It was the third time French authorities had tried, and failed, to have him extradited.