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Van Morrison plans to launch legal action against regulations banning live music from theaters in Northern Ireland over security concerns related to Covid-19.
Sarah Symington, an attorney with John J. Rice and Co. Solicitors, which represents Morrison, confirmed that the singer took legal action on January 12. He filed a “pre-action protocol letter” with the Ministry of Health to “challenge the general ban on live music [and] giving them 21 days to respond. “
A pre-action protocol letter is not an official filing document, but rather gives both parties an opportunity to chart a course and possibly settle. Symington said if the Department of Health did not respond within 21 days, “we would immediately initiate proceedings in the High Court.
A representative from the Northern Ireland Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As RTE points out, Northern Ireland is in the midst of a six-week Covid-19 lockdown, which has forced hospitality and entertainment venues to close. While venues have been allowed to open in Northern Ireland at different times throughout the pandemic, live music has been systematically banned.
Another Morrison lawyer, Joe Rice, told RTE the rules for live music in Northern Ireland were not properly set, suggesting there was an ineffective and unfair blanket ban on everything from bands to soloists . Rice said Morrison plans to argue that the ban is not viable in law and is not based on credible scientific or medical evidence. (Most medical experts are adamant that large indoor gatherings, such as concerts, are one of the most effective ways to spread Covid-19.)
“Many people in the music and arts community in Northern Ireland have been financially, socially and artistically devastated by this total ban,” Rice said. “It differs from the law in England and Wales and the evidence behind such a negative decision in that jurisdiction is far from clear.” He added that Morrison was acting “on behalf of thousands of musicians, artists, venues and those involved in the live music industry.”
Morrison has been beating the drum against Covid-19 lockdown measures for several months now. Last September he released a trio of anti-lockdown songs, then added a fourth in December with Eric Clapton, “Stand and Deliver.”
Following the release of these first three songs, Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann wrote an op-ed for Rolling stone criticizing Morrison, saying the tracks were not only disappointing, but dangerous. “It is in fact a slander on all those involved in the public health response to a virus that has claimed their lives on a massive scale. His words will give conspiracy theorists great solace – the Aluminum Hats Brigade that cruises against masks and vaccines and thinks this is all a huge global conspiracy to suppress freedoms … There is also so much going on in it. the world on which to sing protest songs like poverty, famine, injustice, racism, violence, austerity – there’s a long list. Instead, he chose to attack attempts to protect the elderly and vulnerable in our society.
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