Criticism of Corona measures: Has Van Morrison slandered the Northern Irish Minister of Health?

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Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann (left) and Northern Ireland music legend Van Morrison: Implacable

Photo: PA / picture alliance / empics

According to a newspaper report, singer Van Morrison, who has recently emerged as a critic of the corona measures, is being sued for defamation by Northern Irish Health Minister Robin Swann.

As the weekly newspaper "Sunday Life" reported on Sunday, the lawsuits relate in particular to an incident in June when the creator of hits like "Gloria" and "Brown-Eyed Girl" chanted on a stage in Belfast: "Robin Swann is very dangerous."

The 76-year-old singer said so after a concert he was supposed to attend was canceled at the last minute due to corona restrictions.

The video of the statements quickly spread across the Internet.

According to the report, the libel suit also relates to two other incidents: an interview in which the former frontman of the rock band Them and later solo artist allegedly called the minister a "crook" and the release of a song in which Morrison Swann again should be called "dangerous".

"We have taken legal action against Van Morrison," Swann's attorney Paul Tweed told the newspaper.

He is aiming for a trial in February.

The Irish Times also reported on the lawsuit.

In January 2021, the Belfast-born singer threatened to challenge the ban on live music in bars in Northern Ireland, stating that it was not based on "scientific or medical evidence".

In August 2020, he had already sparked controversy when he spoke of "pseudoscience" in connection with the coronavirus.

A month later he recorded three "protest songs" against the corona restrictions.

Health Minister Swann sharply criticized this in the American music magazine "Rolling Stone".

Morrison's texts would help conspiracy theorists who were crusading masks and vaccinations and who saw it all as a global plan to take liberties, Swann said.

“I just hope nobody takes him seriously.

He is not a guru, not a teacher. "

feb / AFP