N. Ireland official suing Van Morrison over COVID criticism

LONDON — Northern Ireland’s wellness curate is suing Van Morrison aft the vocalist called him “very dangerous” for his handling of coronavirus restrictions.

The Belfast-born vocalist opposes restrictions to curb the dispersed of the virus, and has released respective songs criticizing lockdowns. He denounced Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann during a gathering astatine Belfast’s Europa Hotel successful June aft a Morrison performance was canceled astatine the past infinitesimal due to the fact that of microorganism restrictions.

The defamation suit relates to 3 incidents successful which Morrison criticized Swann, calling him “a fraud” and “very dangerous.”

Swann responded successful an nonfiction for Rolling Stone magazine, calling the “Moondance” singer’s claims “bizarre and irresponsible.”

Swann’s lawyer, Paul Tweed, said proceedings “are astatine an precocious signifier with an anticipated proceeding day aboriginal successful 2022.” The suit was archetypal reported successful the Sunday Life newspaper.

Morrison’s lawyer, Joe Rice, said the vocalist would contention the claim. He said Morrison volition reason “that the words utilized by him related to a substance of nationalist involvement and constituted just comment.”