Artist

Northern Ireland official suing Van Morrison over COVID criticism

today11/08/2021 37

Background
share close

LONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s health minister is suing Van Morrison after the singer called him “very dangerous” for his handling of coronavirus restrictions.

The Belfast-born singer opposes restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, and has released several songs criticizing lockdowns. The defamation suit relates to three incidents in which Morrison criticized Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann, calling him “a fraud” and “very dangerous.” Swann’s lawyer, Paul Tweed, said proceedings “are at an advanced stage with an anticipated hearing date early in 2022.”

Morrison’s lawyer, Joe Rice, said the singer would contest the claim. He said Morrison will argue “that the words used by him related to a matter of public interest and constituted fair comment.”

 

Source: AP – All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press.  All rights reserved.

 

Written by: Editor

Rate it

Previous post

Featured

$2M in damage from oceanfront home fire, 12 escape unharmed

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) — Fire investigators say a fire heavily damaged an oceanfront home in Bethany Beach over the weekend. The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal says flames were engulfing the home on Seaside Drive as firefighters arrived around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The News Journal reports that Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio says the fire caused more than $2 million in damage. Twelve people at the […]

today11/08/2021 57


0%