Northern Ireland’s Health Minister is suing Van Morrison after the singer branded him “very dangerous” over his handling of Covid-19 restrictions.
The legal action focuses on a high-profile incident at the Europa Hotel in Belfast in the summer when Mr Morrison, a vocal lockdown critic, took to stage and criticized Robin Swann.
The defamation proceedings also cite two subsequent incidents when the singer elaborated on his views on Mr Swann.
In the first, when he was challenged by a Sunday Life reporter about his initial comments, Mr Morrison was reported to have described the minister as a “fraud”.
The second relates to content the songwriter uploaded on YouTube in which he addressed the Europa Hotel controversy. In that video, he again criticizes the minister and calls him “dangerous”, albeit he refers to him incorrectly as “Robert Swann”.
Mr Swann is being represented in the action by renowned libel lawyer Paul Tweed.
“Proceedings are at an advanced stage with an anticipated hearing date early in 2022,” he said.
The development was first reported by the Sunday Life on Sunday.
It is understood Mr Swann’s legal team sent a writ to the singer in June and followed that up with a detailed statement of claim in September.
It is understood Mr Morrison’s lawyers responded to the claim last month.