Potential defence opens up for Heard in Depp libel suit

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard leaving court (Yui Mok/PA)

Johnny Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard can argue to a jury that she should be protected from a libel lawsuit because her 2018 op-ed on domestic violence deals with a matter of public interest, a judge has ruled.

Depp sued Heard for libel in Virginia after The Washington Post published her opinion piece. Depp’s lawyers say the article falsely implies she was physically and sexually abused by Depp when the actors were married.