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The singer and the ex-minister were locked in a defamation battle over differing opinions about Covid-19. Alamy Stock Photos

Courts

Defamation battle between Van Morrison and former NI health minister settled

Ex-minister Robin Swann and Morrison were suing each other for defamation in separate suits.

A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL battle between former Stormont health minister Robin Swann and singer Van Morrison has been settled.

Swann sued Morrison for defamation after the singer branded him “very dangerous” over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions during an event at the Europa Hotel in June 2021.

In a separate action, Morrison sued the UUP politician and the Northern Ireland Department of Health over an opinion piece that was published in Rolling Stone magazine in September 2020.

The High Court in Belfast heard today that both actions, which had been due to get under way at the end of September, have been settled.

Swann stepped down as health minister in May 2024 when he successfully ran in the general election to represent South Antrim.

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