{"id":23859,"date":"2021-11-07T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-07T14:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23859"},"modified":"2021-11-08T10:18:33","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T15:18:33","slug":"norths-health-minister-suing-van-morrison-for-defamation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23859","title":{"rendered":"North’s Health Minister Suing Van Morrison For Defamation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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 (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s Health Minister is suing Van Morrison after the singer branded him \u201cvery dangerous\u201d over his handling of Covid-19 restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defamation proceedings also cite two subsequent incidents when the singer elaborated on his views on Mr Swann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cfraud\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cdangerous\u201d,\u00a0albeit he refers to him incorrectly as \u201cRobert Swann\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Swann is being represented in the action by renowned libel lawyer Paul Tweed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProceedings are at an advanced stage with an anticipated hearing date early in 2022,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development was first reported by the Sunday Life on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is understood Mr Swann\u2019s legal team sent a writ to the singer in June and followed that up with a detailed statement of claim in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is understood Mr Morrison\u2019s lawyers responded to the claim last month.<\/p>\n

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