Van Morrison's legal case with Robin Swann is settled

Sir Van Morrison's defamation dispute with Robin Swann, the former Health Minister of Northern Ireland, has reached a resolution. The conflict began when Morrison labeled Swann as 'very dangerous' during a performance in June 2021, following the cancellation of his gigs due to Covid-19 restrictions. In retaliation, Swann filed a slander lawsuit against the singer, while Morrison countered with a suit regarding an article in Rolling Stone that criticized his anti-lockdown sentiments as 'actually dangerous.' The legal proceedings were set to commence at the end of September 2023, but both parties announced a confidential settlement before the court date. The judge acknowledged the resolution as a fair outcome, emphasizing the importance of settling the potentially costly legal battles. Neither Morrison nor Swann attended the court session where the settlement was disclosed. In their statements, both parties recognized the sincerity of each other's views, despite their disagreements over the handling of the pandemic. Morrison acknowledged Swann's role as Health Minister was executed honestly and in good faith, while Swann recognized Morrison's views were expressed sincerely, stemming from his frustrations with government regulations that hindered his performances. The Department of Health also reflected on the situation, suggesting that their criticisms of Morrison's lyrics could have been communicated more appropriately through local media rather than a U.S. publication. This settlement marks a significant conclusion to a high-profile legal battle that highlighted the tensions between public health measures and artistic expression during the pandemic.