North Ireland minister sues veteran singer Van Morrison over COVID criticism
Tuesday, 9 November 2021 (14:37 IST)
A public spat over coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland is now headed to court, with Health Minister Robin Swann suing Belfast-born musician Van Morrison of defamation.
The veteran singer, a well-known critic of anti-pandemic measures, has called out Swann as "a fraud." In a video that went viral after one of his concerts was cancelled last minute, Van Morrison is seen trying to get the audience to chant that "Robin Swann is very dangerous."
Swann hit back by saying that singer's comments were "bizarre and irresponsible." Swann's lawyer Paul Tweed has now said that libel proceedings were "at an advanced stage with an anticipated hearing date early in 2022."
Van Morrison's lawyer Joe Rice said that the singer would argue his words were "related to a matter of public interest and constituted fair comment." Morrison has already described his comments as "banter and sarcasm."
